Process Management Overview
Process Management Overview
Process: Concept, Process Control Blocks(PCB), Scheduling criteria Preemptive & non Preemptive
process
scheduling, Scheduling algorithms, algorithm evaluation, multiple processor scheduling, real time
scheduling,
operations on processes, threads give me detailed points for each topic
1. Process: Concept
Definition: A process is a program in execution. It includes the program code, its current activity,
and the context (data, CPU state, etc.).
Components of a Process:
Program Code: Known as the text section.
Program Counter: Indicates the next instruction to execute.
Stack: Contains temporary data like function parameters, return addresses, and local
variables.
Data Section: Contains global variables.
Heap: Memory dynamically allocated during runtime.
States of a Process:
New: Process is being created.
Ready: Process is waiting to be assigned to a CPU.
Running: Process instructions are being executed.
Waiting: Process is waiting for some event (e.g., I/O completion).
Terminated: Process has finished execution.
Definition: A PCB is a data structure used by the operating system to store information about a
process.
Contents of PCB:
Process State: New, ready, running, waiting, terminated.
Process ID: Unique identifier.
Program Counter: Address of the next instruction to execute.
Registers: CPU registers for the process.
Memory Management Information: Memory allocated to the process (page tables,
base/limit registers).
Scheduling Information: Priority, scheduling queues, etc.
Accounting Information: CPU usage, time limits, etc.
I/O Status Information: List of I/O devices allocated to the process.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 1/26
3. Scheduling Criteria
Preemptive Scheduling:
The CPU can be taken away from a process if a higher-priority process arrives.
Example: Round Robin, Priority Scheduling (preemptive), Shortest Remaining Time First.
Non-Preemptive Scheduling:
Once the CPU is allocated to a process, it cannot be taken away until the process completes.
Example: First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS), Priority Scheduling (non-preemptive), Shortest Job
First (SJF).
5. Scheduling Algorithms
First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS):
Processes are executed in the order of arrival.
Simple but can lead to the convoy effect.
Shortest Job First (SJF):
Executes the process with the shortest burst time first.
Optimal in terms of minimizing average waiting time.
Preemptive SJF is called Shortest Remaining Time First (SRTF).
Priority Scheduling:
Processes are executed based on priority.
Can be preemptive or non-preemptive.
Risk of starvation (low-priority processes might never execute).
Round Robin (RR):
Each process gets a fixed time slice (quantum).
Designed for time-sharing systems.
Multilevel Queue Scheduling:
Processes are divided into multiple queues based on priority or type
(foreground/background).
Each queue has its scheduling algorithm.
Multilevel Feedback Queue Scheduling:
Processes can move between queues based on execution characteristics (e.g., aging).
Adaptive and reduces starvation.
6. Algorithm Evaluation
Factors:
CPU Utilization: Efficiency of the algorithm.
Fairness: Equal allocation of resources.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 2/26
Starvation: Avoiding indefinite waiting for any process.
Overhead: Scheduling decisions should not consume excessive resources.
8. Real-Time Scheduling
Definition: Scheduling in real-time systems where tasks must meet specific deadlines.
Types:
Hard Real-Time: Missing a deadline is catastrophic (e.g., medical systems).
Soft Real-Time: Missing a deadline degrades system performance but is tolerable.
Algorithms:
Rate Monotonic Scheduling (RMS): Fixed-priority based on process periodicity.
Earliest Deadline First (EDF): Dynamically assigns priority based on deadline proximity.
9. Operations on Processes
Process Creation:
A new process is created using a system call like `fork()` in UNIX.
Parent and child processes share resources.
Process Termination:
Processes terminate using `exit()` after completing their task.
Parent process can terminate a child process using `kill()`.
Inter-Process Communication (IPC):
Mechanisms: Pipes, message queues, shared memory, semaphores.
Purpose: Synchronization and data exchange between processes.
10. Threads
Definition: A lightweight process; threads in the same process share code, data, and resources.
Advantages:
Faster context switching.
Efficient resource sharing.
Improved performance in multiprocessor systems.
Types:
User-Level Threads: Managed by user-space libraries; OS is unaware.
Kernel-Level Threads: Managed by the OS; more overhead but better performance for I/O-
intensive tasks.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 3/26
This comprehensive breakdown should help with your study of processes and scheduling in operating
systems!
1. Process: Concept
Definition:
A process is the smallest unit of execution in an operating system, encompassing a program
and its execution context. It includes:
Static entity: The program code.
Dynamic entity: The executing program.
Process Attributes:
Unique ID: Process ID (PID) to identify the process.
Resources: CPU time, memory, files, and I/O devices allocated.
Execution Flow: Defined by instructions in the program.
Process Hierarchy:
Processes can create other processes, forming a parent-child relationship.
Parent processes manage and control their child processes.
State Transitions:
New → Ready: After process creation.
Ready → Running: When the CPU is assigned.
Running → Waiting: If waiting for an I/O event.
Running → Ready: If preempted.
Waiting → Ready: When the waiting event completes.
Running → Terminated: After execution finishes.
Definition:
A data structure in the OS that contains all information about a specific process.
Key Fields in PCB:
1. Process Identification:
Process ID (PID): Unique identifier.
Parent Process ID: Links to the creator process.
2. Process State:
Current state (New, Ready, Running, Waiting, Terminated).
3. CPU Registers:
Stores the current values of all CPU registers, including program counter, accumulator,
etc.
4. Scheduling Information:
Priority, pointers to scheduling queues, time slice information.
5. Memory Management Information:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 4/26
Base and limit registers, page or segment tables.
6. Accounting Information:
CPU usage, time limits, user IDs.
7. I/O Status Information:
Open files, allocated devices, and pending I/O requests.
3. Scheduling Criteria
Preemptive Scheduling:
Mechanism: The CPU can be forcibly taken from a running process.
Advantages:
Provides better responsiveness.
Suitable for time-sharing and interactive systems.
Disadvantages:
Higher overhead due to context switches.
Examples:
Shortest Remaining Time First (SRTF).
Priority Scheduling (preemptive).
Round Robin (RR).
Non-Preemptive Scheduling:
Mechanism: A process retains the CPU until it completes or voluntarily relinquishes it.
Advantages:
Simpler implementation.
No overhead for context switching.
Disadvantages:
May lead to poor responsiveness.
Examples:
First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS).
Priority Scheduling (non-preemptive).
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 5/26
Shortest Job First (SJF).
5. Scheduling Algorithms
First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS):
Mechanism: Executes the process with the shortest burst time first.
Advantages:
Minimizes average waiting time.
Disadvantages:
Requires prior knowledge of burst times.
Risk of starvation.
Priority Scheduling:
6. Algorithm Evaluation
Characteristics:
Load Balancing: Ensuring even distribution of processes.
Processor Affinity: Binding processes to specific processors.
Challenges:
Synchronization and resource sharing.
Managing communication overhead.
Approaches:
Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP):
All processors share a single scheduling queue.
Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP):
One processor handles scheduling; others execute tasks.
8. Real-Time Scheduling
Characteristics:
Deadlines: Tasks must meet strict timing constraints.
Periodic/Non-Periodic:
Periodic tasks repeat at fixed intervals.
Non-periodic tasks are event-driven.
Hard vs. Soft Real-Time:
Hard Real-Time: Missing deadlines leads to system failure.
Soft Real-Time: Missing deadlines affects performance but is acceptable.
Algorithms:
Rate Monotonic Scheduling (RMS):
Fixed priority based on periodicity.
Earliest Deadline First (EDF):
Dynamic priority based on the earliest deadline.
9. Operations on Processes
Process Creation:
Process Termination:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 7/26
Pipes: One-way communication.
Message Queues: Structured messages.
Shared Memory: Fastest IPC mechanism.
10. Threads
Concept:
A thread is a basic unit of CPU utilization within a process.
Advantages:
Faster context switching.
Shared memory space reduces overhead.
Improved application responsiveness.
Models:
1. User-Level Threads:
Managed by user libraries; OS unaware.
2. Kernel-Level Threads:
Managed by the operating system.
3. Hybrid Model:
Combines user and kernel-level threading.
If you need more elaboration or practical examples for any specific point, let me know!
Definition:
IPC is a mechanism that allows processes to communicate and synchronize their actions to share
data and resources.
Objectives:
Methods of IPC:
1. Pipes:
One-way communication mechanism.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 8/26
Named Pipes: Can exist beyond the life of the processes.
Unidirectional: Data flows in one direction.
2. Message Passing:
Processes exchange messages.
Mechanisms:
`send(message)`
`receive(message)`
Suitable for distributed systems.
3. Shared Memory:
Multiple processes access the same memory region.
Requires synchronization to prevent race conditions.
Faster than message passing but more complex.
4. Sockets:
Used for communication over a network.
Can handle both inter-process and inter-machine communication.
5. Semaphores:
Used for signaling between processes.
Prevents race conditions and ensures mutual exclusion.
2. Precedence Graphs
Definition:
A precedence graph (or dependency graph) is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) used to represent the
dependencies between processes or tasks.
Components:
1. Nodes:
Represent processes or tasks.
2. Edges:
Represent dependencies. If there’s an edge from `P1` to `P2`, `P1` must complete before `P2`
starts.
Applications:
1. Process Scheduling:
Determines the execution order of tasks.
2. Parallel Computing:
Identifies independent tasks that can run concurrently.
3. Deadlock Detection:
Circular dependencies in the graph indicate a potential deadlock.
Example:
Tasks: A → B → C
Task B cannot start until Task A completes.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 9/26
Definition:
1. Mutual Exclusion:
Only one process can enter the critical section at a time.
2. Progress:
If no process is in the critical section, others waiting must get a chance to execute.
3. Bounded Waiting:
No process should wait indefinitely to enter the critical section.
Solutions:
1. Software-Based:
Peterson’s Algorithm:
Ensures mutual exclusion using two variables (`flag[]` and `turn`).
Dekker’s Algorithm:
Early solution to achieve mutual exclusion.
2. Hardware-Based:
Disable interrupts during critical section execution.
3. Synchronization Tools:
Semaphores, mutexes.
4. Semaphores
Definition:
Types of Semaphores:
1. Binary Semaphore:
Can take values 0 or 1 (similar to mutex).
Ensures mutual exclusion.
2. Counting Semaphore:
Can take any integer value.
Used to manage resource pools.
Applications:
1. Mutual Exclusion:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 10/26
Ensures only one process accesses the critical section.
2. Synchronization:
Coordinates processes (e.g., Producer-Consumer problem).
3. Resource Allocation:
Limits access to finite resources (e.g., database connections).
1. Producer-Consumer Problem
Problem:
A producer generates items and adds them to a buffer.
A consumer removes items from the buffer.
Synchronization is required to ensure:
The producer doesn’t add items to a full buffer.
The consumer doesn’t remove items from an empty buffer.
Solution:
Use semaphores:
Mutex: Protect buffer access.
Full: Count of filled slots.
Empty: Count of empty slots.
2. Readers-Writers Problem
Problem:
Multiple readers can read a resource simultaneously.
Writers require exclusive access.
Constraints:
No reader should be blocked unless a writer is accessing the resource.
Writers must get exclusive access.
Solution:
Use semaphores:
ReadLock: Allows multiple readers.
WriteLock: Ensures exclusive writer access.
Problem:
Five philosophers sit at a table, alternating between thinking and eating.
They share five forks, and each needs two forks to eat.
Synchronization is required to prevent:
Deadlock (all philosophers waiting for forks).
Starvation (one philosopher never getting to eat).
Solution:
Use semaphores to represent forks.
Techniques:
Allow at most four philosophers to sit simultaneously.
Use asymmetric allocation (odd philosophers pick the left fork first, even pick the right).
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 11/26
Problem:
A barber shop has a barber, a chair, and a waiting area with limited seats.
If the barber is busy, customers wait. If no customers, the barber sleeps.
Solution:
Use semaphores:
Customer: Tracks waiting customers.
Barber: Ensures barber availability.
Mutex: Protects shared resources (e.g., chairs).
This detailed explanation covers concepts, problems, and their solutions with synchronization. Let me
know if you need practical code examples or further insights!
1. Deadlock: Characterization
Definition:
A deadlock is a situation in which two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is
waiting for a resource held by another process.
1. Mutual Exclusion:
At least one resource must be held in a non-shareable mode (only one process can use it at a
time).
2. Hold and Wait:
A process holding at least one resource is waiting for additional resources held by other
processes.
3. No Preemption:
Resources cannot be forcibly removed from a process holding them; they must be released
voluntarily.
4. Circular Wait:
A circular chain of processes exists, where each process holds a resource the next process
needs.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 12/26
1. Deadlock Prevention:
Ensures at least one of the Coffman conditions cannot hold.
2. Deadlock Avoidance:
Dynamically examines resource allocation to ensure deadlock-free execution.
3. Deadlock Detection and Recovery:
Allows deadlocks to occur but detects and resolves them when they do.
4. Ignore the Problem:
Common in general-purpose systems (e.g., Windows, Linux), assuming deadlocks are rare.
3. Deadlock Prevention
This method ensures at least one of the four necessary conditions for deadlock does not hold.
Techniques:
1. Mutual Exclusion:
Eliminate where possible (e.g., read-only resources can be shared).
Some resources, like printers, inherently require mutual exclusion.
2. Hold and Wait:
Ensure processes request all resources at once.
Disadvantage: May lead to resource underutilization.
3. No Preemption:
Allow preemption:
If a process is waiting for a resource, the OS can force it to release its currently held
resources.
Practical for resources like CPU cycles or memory but difficult for resources like files or
printers.
4. Circular Wait:
Impose an ordering of resource allocation:
Assign a unique number to each resource.
Processes must request resources in increasing order.
4. Deadlock Avoidance
Definition:
Deadlock is avoided by carefully allocating resources, ensuring the system never enters an unsafe
state.
Key Concepts:
1. Safe State:
A system state where all processes can finish execution.
2. Unsafe State:
A state that might lead to deadlock but doesn’t guarantee it.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 13/26
Ensures the system remains in a safe state by simulating allocation before committing.
Steps:
5. Deadlock Detection
Definition:
Techniques:
Techniques:
1. Process Termination:
Abort one or more processes to break the deadlock.
Strategies:
Terminate all deadlocked processes (brute force).
Terminate one process at a time until the deadlock resolves.
2. Resource Preemption:
Force processes to release resources.
Rollback:
Revert the process to a safe state before the deadlock.
Linux provides several mechanisms for managing processes and detecting/preventing deadlocks:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 14/26
Linux Process Characteristics:
1. Process States:
Running: Currently executing or ready to execute.
Waiting: Waiting for an event or resource.
Stopped: Process execution is paused.
Zombie: Completed but still holding its PCB until parent collects the exit status.
2. Process Identification:
Every process has a PID (Process ID).
3. Process Hierarchy:
Managed using parent-child relationships (e.g., `fork()` creates a new process).
Memory Hierarchy, Concepts of memory management, MFT & MVT, logical and physical address
space,
swapping, contiguous and non-contiguous allocation
1. Memory Hierarchy
Definition:
The memory hierarchy in a computer system organizes storage into different levels based on speed,
size, and cost.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 15/26
Structure (from fastest to slowest):
1. Registers:
Smallest, fastest memory in the CPU.
Stores temporary data and instructions for processing.
2. Cache Memory:
Faster than RAM, smaller in size.
Stores frequently accessed data to reduce latency.
3. Main Memory (RAM):
Primary volatile memory for currently executing programs.
Directly accessible by the CPU.
4. Secondary Storage:
Non-volatile storage like HDDs or SSDs.
Stores data and programs not currently in use.
5. Tertiary Storage:
Backup devices (e.g., tapes, external hard drives).
Large capacity but very slow access.
6. Virtual Memory:
Simulated memory using disk space to extend RAM capacity.
Provides an illusion of infinite memory.
Definition:
Memory management is the process of efficiently allocating and deallocating memory to programs
during execution while ensuring no overlap or corruption.
Key Functions:
1. Single-Partition Allocation:
Entire memory allocated to one process.
No multitasking.
2. Multiple-Partition Allocation:
Divides memory into fixed or variable-sized partitions.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 16/26
Definition:
Advantages:
1. Simple implementation.
2. No fragmentation within partitions.
Disadvantages:
1. Internal Fragmentation:
Memory within a partition remains unused if the process is smaller.
2. Inefficient for processes requiring memory larger than the fixed partition size.
Definition:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
1. External Fragmentation:
Free memory scattered in small blocks.
2. Overhead of dynamic allocation.
Mapping Mechanism:
The Memory Management Unit (MMU) converts logical addresses into physical addresses during
runtime.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 17/26
6. Swapping
Definition:
Swapping is the process of temporarily transferring a process from main memory to secondary storage
(swap space) to free up memory for other processes.
Steps:
Advantages:
1. Enables multiprogramming.
2. Increases CPU utilization.
Disadvantages:
Contiguous Allocation:
Advantages:
1. Simple to implement.
2. Faster memory access.
Disadvantages:
Examples:
Non-Contiguous Allocation:
Advantages:
1. Reduces fragmentation.
2. Easier allocation for large processes.
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 18/26
Disadvantages:
Techniques:
1. Paging:
Divides memory into fixed-size pages.
Logical memory divided into pages, and physical memory into frames.
Page table maps pages to frames.
2. Segmentation:
Divides memory into variable-sized segments based on logical units (e.g., code, data).
Segment table maps logical segments to physical memory.
This detailed explanation covers the memory hierarchy and key memory management concepts. Let me
know if you need additional details or examples!
Here’s a detailed explanation of Paging, Segmentation, and their combination, along with the structure
and implementation of the Page Table:
1. Paging
Definition:
Paging is a memory management technique that divides both the logical and physical memory into
fixed-size blocks.
Key Concepts:
1. Page Size:
Fixed size, typically a power of 2 (e.g., 4 KB, 8 KB).
2. Frames:
Fixed-size blocks in physical memory that hold pages.
3. Page Table:
Maintains the mapping of logical pages to physical frames.
Advantages:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 19/26
1. Eliminates external fragmentation.
2. Efficient utilization of memory.
Disadvantages:
1. Can cause internal fragmentation if a process does not fully use a page.
2. Overhead of maintaining the page table.
2. Segmentation
Definition:
Segmentation is a memory management technique that divides the program into variable-sized
segments, each representing a logical unit (e.g., code, data, stack).
Key Concepts:
1. Segments:
Logical divisions of a program.
Each segment has a unique number.
2. Segment Table:
Maps each segment to a base address in physical memory and specifies its length.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Definition:
Structure:
1. Segment Table:
Maps segment numbers to page tables.
2. Page Table:
Maps pages within each segment to physical frames.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Purpose:
Structure:
Implementation Techniques:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 21/26
Breaks the page table into smaller tables.
Reduces memory usage for sparsely populated address spaces.
3. Inverted Page Table:
Contains one entry per physical frame instead of one per logical page.
Maps physical frames back to logical pages.
Reduces memory overhead but slows address translation.
This explanation covers the requested topics in detail. Let me know if you need further clarifications or
practical examples!
1. Virtual Memory
Definition:
Virtual memory is a memory management technique that allows the execution of processes larger than
physical memory by using disk space as an extension of RAM.
Key Concepts:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 22/26
3. Swapping:
Unused memory pages are moved to secondary storage (swap space).
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Definition:
Cache memory is a small, high-speed memory located close to the CPU, used to store frequently
accessed data and instructions.
Levels:
1. L1 Cache:
Closest to the CPU, smallest, fastest.
2. L2 Cache:
Larger and slower than L1 but faster than RAM.
3. L3 Cache:
Shared among cores, largest, slowest cache.
Mapping Techniques:
1. Direct Mapping:
Each block in main memory maps to a specific cache line.
2. Associative Mapping:
Any block can be placed in any cache line.
3. Set-Associative Mapping:
Cache is divided into sets; each set can hold multiple blocks.
Performance Metrics:
3. Demand Paging
Definition:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 23/26
Demand paging loads pages into memory only when they are needed, reducing initial load time and
memory usage.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Definition:
When a page fault occurs and memory is full, a page replacement algorithm decides which page to evict
to make room for the new page.
Algorithms:
5. Allocation of Frames
Definition:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 24/26
The process of assigning a fixed number of frames (blocks of physical memory) to each process.
Types:
1. Fixed Allocation:
Each process gets a predefined number of frames.
Equal Allocation: Equal frames for all processes.
Proportional Allocation: Frames allocated based on process size.
2. Variable Allocation:
Frames are dynamically assigned based on the process's needs.
1. Global Replacement:
Any process can replace a page of another process.
Can lead to unfair allocation.
2. Local Replacement:
A process can only replace its own pages.
Reduces interference but may underutilize memory.
6. Thrashing
Definition:
Thrashing occurs when a system spends more time swapping pages in and out of memory than
executing processes.
Causes:
Solutions:
7. Demand Segmentation
Definition:
Demand segmentation combines segmentation with demand paging to load segments only when
required.
Steps:
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 25/26
1. Logical memory is divided into segments (e.g., code, data, stack).
2. Each segment is further divided into pages.
3. Pages within a segment are loaded on demand.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
This explanation covers the requested topics in detail. Let me know if you'd like further elaboration or
examples!
Printed using Save ChatGPT as PDF, powered by PDFCrowd HTML to PDF API. 26/26