Single Processor Cache and Context Switching

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture about single processor cache and context switching.

Context Switch

The mechanism used by the operating system to change the execution from one process context to another.

Process Control Block (PCB)

A data structure in memory that stores important information about a process.

Cache Miss

A situation that occurs when the data needed is not found in the cache, resulting in a longer access time to memory.

Cold Cache

A state where data required for execution is not present in the cache, leading to higher latency due to memory access.

Processor Cache Hierarchy

The structure of multiple caches (like L1, L2) in modern CPUs, where each level is larger and potentially slower than the previous one.

Direct Costs of Context Switching

The number of CPU cycles required to load and store values of process control blocks.

Indirect Costs of Context Switching

The performance penalties incurred when process data is evicted from the cache, leading to increased memory access times.