Operating System Module 2: Process Management Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

What is a process in the context of an operating system?

A passive file stored on disk

A collection of computer code

An active program in execution (correct)

A type of computer architecture

What is the main difference between a program and a process?

Programs execute system code, while processes execute user code

Programs consist of CPU bursts, while processes consist of I/O bursts

Programs are stored on disk, while processes are active entities (correct)

Programs can execute concurrently, while processes cannot

In what way do processes alternate during execution?

Between CPU bursts and I/O bursts (correct)

Between disk storage and memory storage

Between instruction fetch and data execution

Between user code and system code

What is the role of CPU (or CPUs) in relation to processes?

Multiplex among processes for time sharing Signup and view all the answers

What does a process consist of, in terms of CPU and I/O bursts?

Alternating CPU and I/O bursts Signup and view all the answers

How are programs and processes related in an operating system?

Processes may be associated with the same program but are considered separate execution sequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a process control block (PCB) in an operating system?

To manage the CPU scheduling information for a process Signup and view all the answers

Which state does a process enter when it is waiting for the operating system to assign a processor to it?

Ready Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory contains the temporary data such as method/function parameters, return address, and local variables?

Stack Signup and view all the answers

What represents the current activity of a process and includes the contents of the processor's registers?

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Which section of a process contains global and static variables?

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What does the CPU registers include in a process control block (PCB)?

Accumulators, index registers, and stack pointers Signup and view all the answers

In which state is a process when it is being created?

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What is the purpose of memory management information in a process control block (PCB)?

To include limit registers or page tables Signup and view all the answers

Which section of a process includes the current activity represented by the value of Program Counter and the contents of the processor's registers?

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Which type of memory includes dynamically allocated memory to a process during its runtime?

Heap Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Process in Operating Systems

A process is an active instance of a program that is being executed by the CPU.
Key distinction: A program is a static set of instructions stored on disk, while a process is a program in execution, encompassing its current state and resources.

Execution of Processes

Processes alternate execution through time-sharing, allowing multiple processes to run concurrently on a single processor.
Context switching occurs when the CPU switches from executing one process to another, enabling multitasking.

Role of CPUs

CPUs handle process execution by fetching and executing instructions from processes, managing the allocation of processing time efficiently.

Process Composition

A process consists of CPU bursts (periods of execution on the CPU) and I/O bursts (periods of waiting for input/output operations).

Relationship Between Programs and Processes

Programs serve as templates for processes; one program can generate multiple processes that share the same code but have different states.

Process Control Block (PCB)

PCB is a data structure used by the operating system to store essential information about a process including its current state, process ID, CPU registers, and memory management info.

Process States

A process enters a "waiting" state when it is ready to run but waiting for the operating system to allocate CPU resources.

Temporary Data in Memory

Stack memory holds temporary data such as method/function parameters, return addresses, and local variables during execution.

Current Activity Representation

The current activity of a process is represented by the Program Counter (PC) value and the contents of the processor's registers.

Global and Static Variables

The data segment of a process contains global and static variables which remain accessible throughout the process's lifespan.

CPU Registers in PCB

CPU registers included in a PCB store critical information necessary for resuming the process, including the Program Counter and processor state.

Creation State of a Process

A process is in a "new" state during its creation phase, indicating that it is being initialized before execution begins.

Memory Management Info in PCB

Memory management information within a PCB includes data on memory allocation, including the process's allocated segments and sizes.

Current Activity and Registers

The section of a process that reflects current activity includes the Program Counter (PC) and the processor's register contents, detailing next instructions to execute.

Dynamically Allocated Memory

Heap memory is used for dynamically allocated memory during a process's runtime, allowing for flexible memory management as needed.

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Description

This study guide covers the process concept, architecture, types of computer processes, process states, process control block, concurrent processes, scheduling, and CPU scheduling algorithms/techniques. It also includes problem-solving related to CPU scheduling.