Operating Systems - Process Creation and fork() System Call

Vocabulary flashcards defining key terms, return values, resource sharing modes, and formulas related to process creation and the fork() system call.

Process Creation

The process of creating or producing a child process from a parent process using system calls such as $fork()$.

Parent Process

The called process that produces a child process once a $fork()$ system call is successful; a parent process may have multiple child processes.

Child Process

The calling process created by a parent process during process creation.

Resource Sharing in Child Process

The allocation of resources during process creation, where the child process may share all system resources with its parent, share a portion of the parent's resources, or share no common resources at all.

Execution Modes in Process Creation

The execution behavior of created processes, where the parent and child process may execute concurrently or the parent process may wait for the child process to complete.

Zero Return Value of fork()

A return value of $0$ from the $fork()$ system call, indicating that a child process is successfully produced.

Positive Return Value of fork()

A positive return value from the $fork()$ system call, indicating that a child process cannot be produced and execution will return back to the parent process.

Negative Return Value of fork()

A negative return value from the $fork()$ system call, indicating that a child process cannot be produced because the process is erroneous or faulty.

Execution of Child Process Diagram

A state flow diagram showing how $fork()$ splits into parent and child branches, where the child executes $exec()$ and $exit()$, while the parent enters $wait()$ until the child terminates and then resumes execution.

Total Processes Formula ($n^{\text{th}}$ fork call)

The expression $2^n$, representing the total number of processes present in the system after $n$ successful calls to $fork()$.

Total Processes for $n = 10$ fork() Calls

The calculation $2^{10} = 1024$, which determines the total number of processes created when $fork()$ is called $10$ times.