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Questions and Answers
What allows users to run several programs at once on a single-processor computer?
What allows users to run several programs at once on a single-processor computer?
In a multiprocessor system, what enables threads or tasks to actually run at the same time?
In a multiprocessor system, what enables threads or tasks to actually run at the same time?
What provides the illusion that several processes are executing 'at once'?
What provides the illusion that several processes are executing 'at once'?
What is the term for each execution of the same set of instructions as a completely separate instantiation of the program?
What is the term for each execution of the same set of instructions as a completely separate instantiation of the program?
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On a multi-core system, what runs a particular thread or task?
On a multi-core system, what runs a particular thread or task?
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What is required for the running task to relinquish the CPU in a time-sharing system?
What is required for the running task to relinquish the CPU in a time-sharing system?
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What is a program in the context of system resources and execution?
What is a program in the context of system resources and execution?
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How can a process be distinguished from a program?
How can a process be distinguished from a program?
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What is the smallest unit of processing that can be scheduled by an operating system?
What is the smallest unit of processing that can be scheduled by an operating system?
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How do multiple threads differ from multiple processes in terms of resource sharing?
How do multiple threads differ from multiple processes in terms of resource sharing?
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In the context of computer architecture, what defines multithreading?
In the context of computer architecture, what defines multithreading?
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How does multithreading generally occur on a single processor?
How does multithreading generally occur on a single processor?
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What prevents direct communication between independent processes in modern operating systems?
What prevents direct communication between independent processes in modern operating systems?
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In the context of processes in an operating system, what does each individual process run in?
In the context of processes in an operating system, what does each individual process run in?
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What happens if one process crashes in a multiprocessing operating system like Linux?
What happens if one process crashes in a multiprocessing operating system like Linux?
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Which part of a process includes the program counter, CPU's registers, and process stacks?
Which part of a process includes the program counter, CPU's registers, and process stacks?
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How are processes prevented from interacting with each other except through secure mechanisms?
How are processes prevented from interacting with each other except through secure mechanisms?
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What system resources does a process utilize during its lifetime?
What system resources does a process utilize during its lifetime?
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What is the responsibility of the Scheduler in CPU allocation?
What is the responsibility of the Scheduler in CPU allocation?
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Which type of waiting process in Linux can be interrupted by signals?
Which type of waiting process in Linux can be interrupted by signals?
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What happens when a process is terminated in Linux?
What happens when a process is terminated in Linux?
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What causes a process to be in a blocked state?
What causes a process to be in a blocked state?
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Which component of the OS does the actual allocation and context switch?
Which component of the OS does the actual allocation and context switch?
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What defines a stopped/terminated process in Linux?
What defines a stopped/terminated process in Linux?
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What is a Zombie process in the context of computer systems?
What is a Zombie process in the context of computer systems?
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Which feature describes Unix as an operating system?
Which feature describes Unix as an operating system?
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What is a key characteristic of Linux in terms of user access?
What is a key characteristic of Linux in terms of user access?
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What does a context switch involve in computer systems?
What does a context switch involve in computer systems?
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Why is Linux considered great according to the text?
Why is Linux considered great according to the text?
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In which state will a process be when it is termed a Zombie process?
In which state will a process be when it is termed a Zombie process?
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Study Notes
Process Management
- Context switching allows multiple tasks to run simultaneously, creating the illusion of concurrent execution.
- On a multiprocessor or multi-core system, threads or tasks can run at the same time, with each processor or core running a particular thread or task.
Time-Sharing
- Time-sharing allows processes to switch between being executed and waiting to be executed.
- This rapid switching provides the illusion that several processes are executing at once.
- Time-sharing systems are designed to allow several programs to execute apparently simultaneously.
OS Components
- The OS has two components for allocating the CPU: the Scheduler and the Dispatcher.
- The Scheduler is responsible for strategy and planning of allocation of the CPU.
- The Dispatcher does actual allocation and context switching.
Process States
- A process can be in one of the following states:
- Running: the current process in the system.
- Ready: waiting to be assigned to one of the system's CPUs.
- Waiting: waiting for an event or resource.
- Blocked: blocked due to various reasons such as exhausting CPU time or waiting for an event.
- Stopped/Terminated: terminated or stopped, either by completing execution or by being killed.
Benefits of Process Management
- Responsiveness
- Faster execution
- Less resource-intensive
- Better system utilization
- Simplified sharing and communication
- Parallelization
Unix and Linux
- Unix is a computer operating system developed in 1969 by AT&T employees.
- Unix is designed to be portable, multi-tasking, and multi-user in a time-sharing configuration.
- Linux is developed and maintained by a worldwide team of volunteer programmers.
- Linux is great for many reasons, including being multi-user, allowing multiple users to be logged in to a single computer at one time.
Process and Threads
- A process can be thought of as a computer program in action.
- Several processes may be associated with the same program.
- A thread of execution is the smallest unit of processing that can be scheduled by an operating system.
- Multiple threads can exist within the same process and share resources such as memory.
Multithreading
- Multithreading is the ability of a CPU or a single core in a multi-core processor to execute multiple processes or threads concurrently.
- Multithreading generally occurs by time-division multiplexing (as in multitasking) on a single processor.
- Processes are separate tasks each with their own rights and responsibilities, and are isolated from each other.
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Description
Learn about the relationship between programs, processes, and threads in operating systems. Understand how a program is different from a process and how multiple processes can be associated with the same program. Explore the concept of threads in computer programming.
