Process Management in Operating Systems

Program

Collection of instructions for execution sequence.

Process

Instance of a program in action.

Processor

Agent executing instructions from memory image.

Compiler

Maps program code to machine instructions.

Executable File

Created from compiled program objects.

Program Image

Contains parameters, stack, data, and code.

Execution Context

Kernel-managed info needed during process execution.

Dynamic Entity

Process with a lifetime from milliseconds to months.

Persistent Process

Implements system services over time.

CPU

Central Processing Unit, runs processes.

Multi-core Processor

Executes multiple processes simultaneously.

Time Sharing

Divides CPU time among ready processes.

Ready Process

Process ready to execute instructions.

Blocked Process

Waiting for resources or user interaction.

Process Management

Creating, controlling, and terminating processes.

Resource Allocation

Assigning memory and CPU time to processes.

Resource Protection

Preventing interference between processes.

Synchronization Mechanisms

Coordination among processes sharing resources.

Data Structures

Represent state of each process in OS.

Operating System Kernel

Core component managing processes and resources.

System Calls

Interface for communicating with the OS.

Process Lifecycle

Stages a process goes through during execution.

Process Control Block (PCB)

Data structure maintaining process execution context.

Process Identification Data

Information identifying the specific process.

Processor State

Current state of the process's CPU registers.

Process Control Data

Information about process scheduling and resources.

Scheduling Algorithms

Methods to manage process execution order.

Queues

Structures holding processes waiting for resources.

Hardware Interrupt

Signal indicating hardware needs attention.

Interrupt Controller

Device managing and identifying hardware interrupts.

Polling

Checking device status regularly for updates.

Multitasking Environment

System allowing multiple processes to run concurrently.

Clock Timer

Device triggering process scheduling at intervals.

Event Driven

System responding to events for execution.

Hardware Interrupts

Interrupts raised by hardware devices at any time.

Software Interrupts

Generated by programs to invoke OS functions.

Exceptions

Unexpected events requiring OS intervention.

Independent Scheduling

Assigning processes to processors without dependency.

Resource Assignment

Allocating system resources to a process.

Input/Output Devices

Hardware providing data to processes.

Process Queues

Queues representing different process states.

Event Categories

Types of events triggering OS code execution.

Exception

Faults during instruction execution, like division by zero.

Page Fault

Missing memory page causing an exception.

User Mode

Processor mode with restricted instruction set access.

Supervisor Mode

Privileged processor mode with full instruction set.

Processor Execution Modes

Different modes for hardware protection and instruction access.

Privilege Modes

At least two modes for system protection.

Interrupt

Event causing processor mode switch to handle tasks.

Software Interrupt

Processor instruction to switch to Supervisor Mode.

Context Switch

Switching CPU control from one process to another.

Interrupt Handler

OS routine handling specific interrupt events.

System Call

Request for OS services from user processes.

Wrapper Library

Code linking system calls for application portability.

Interrupt Vector Table

Memory structure mapping interrupts to handlers.

Critical Operating System Code

Essential OS functions requiring controlled access.

Controlled Access

Ensuring only OS executes privileged instructions.

Hardware Access

Interaction with physical components like disks and input.

Interprocess Communication

Methods for processes to exchange data.

Kernel Services

Core functionalities provided by the operating system.

Execution Trapping

Stopping current process to handle interrupts.

Instruction Set

Complete set of operations a processor can execute.