Operating System Articles

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Differentiate between shared memory and message passing model in OS.

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 23K+ Views

Shared memory system is a fundamental model of inter-process communication where cooperating processes communicate by establishing a shared memory region within their address space. This approach allows multiple processes to access the same physical memory location for data exchange. The shared memory concept works on the principle of fastest inter-process communication. When a process wants to initiate communication and has data to share, it establishes a shared memory region in its address space. Another process that wants to communicate must attach itself to the initiating process's shared address space to read the shared data. Message Passing Model ...

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What is a client-server system?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 1K+ Views

A client-server system is a distributed computing architecture where multiple clients request services from centralized servers over a network. Communication in client-server systems can utilize shared memory and message passing techniques, along with several specialized communication strategies. Strategies for Communication There are three primary strategies for communication in client-server systems − Sockets A socket is defined as an endpoint for communication. A pair of processes communicating over a network employs a pair of sockets, one for each process. A socket is identified by an IP address concatenated with a port number. Sockets generally use client-server ...

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What is a programmed I/O?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 11K+ Views

Programmed I/O is one of the simplest forms of I/O where the CPU directly controls and monitors all I/O operations. In this technique, the CPU is responsible for transferring data between memory and I/O devices, constantly checking device status and waiting for operations to complete. How Programmed I/O Works The CPU uses special instructions to read from and write to device registers. It continuously polls the device status register to determine when the device is ready for the next operation. This method requires the CPU's full attention during I/O operations. Example − Printing "TUTORIALS" String Consider ...

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What is the concept of thread?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 5K+ Views

A thread is a lightweight unit of execution within a process and represents the basic unit of CPU utilization. It consists of a program counter, a stack, and a set of registers, allowing multiple execution paths within a single process. Process with Multiple Threads Process Code Section Data Section Files (shared resources) Thread 1 PC, Registers Stack Thread 2 ...

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Why do we need shell scripting?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 4K+ Views

Shell is a software program that acts as a mediator between the kernel and the user. It reads the commands and interprets them by sending requests to execute programs. The shell is essentially a command interpreter that provides an interface for users to interact with the operating system. The shell contains almost 100 system calls that tell the kernel to carry out various tasks for programs. These tasks include − Opening and reading files Writing data to files Obtaining file information and metadata Executing programs and processes Terminating running processes Changing process priorities Getting system time and ...

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What are the process states in Windows and Linux?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 3K+ Views

A process is not only a program under execution but it is the active state of the program when it is executing and it has its own Process Control Block (PCB). A process requires various resources like memory, CPU, hard disk, and Input/Output devices to function properly. Process States A process has five fundamental states that define its lifecycle in the operating system − Process State Diagram New Ready ...

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How to implement thread in user space?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 2K+ Views

A thread is a lightweight process that consists of a program counter, a stack, and a set of registers. It represents the basic unit of CPU utilization and allows multiple execution paths within a single process. Single-Threaded Process Structure Process Control Block Program Counter Stack Pointer Registers Thread Implementation in User Space User-space threads are implemented entirely within the application program without kernel involvement. The complete thread package resides in user ...

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What is a multithreading model in OS?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 2K+ Views

Multithreading is a technique where a process is divided into multiple smaller tasks called threads. Each thread is a lightweight unit of execution that can run concurrently with other threads within the same process. When multiple threads execute simultaneously within a process, it is called multithreading. Modern operating systems provide multithreading support as an essential capability for efficient resource utilization and improved system performance. Types of Multithreading Models Based on functionality and thread management, multithreading models are categorized into four types − One process, one thread − Single-threaded model One process, multiple threads − Multi-threaded ...

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What are threading issues?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 29K+ Views

When designing multithreaded programs, developers must address several critical threading issues that can significantly impact program behavior and system stability. These issues arise from the complexity of coordinating multiple threads of execution within a single process. The fork() and exec() System Calls The fork() and exec() system calls behave differently in multithreaded environments compared to single-threaded programs. fork() System Call When one thread in a multithreaded program calls fork(), the question arises: should the new process duplicate all threads or only the calling thread? Different UNIX systems handle this differently − Duplicate all threads ...

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What is a process scheduler in OS?

Bhanu Priya
Bhanu Priya
Updated on 17-Mar-2026 2K+ Views

A process scheduler is a core component of the Operating System that manages the allocation of CPU time among multiple processes. It determines which process should run next when the CPU becomes available and ensures efficient utilization of system resources by preventing the CPU from remaining idle. The scheduler continuously monitors processes in different states (ready, waiting, running) and makes intelligent decisions about CPU allocation. When a process completes its execution or enters a waiting state, the scheduler immediately assigns the CPU to another ready process, maintaining optimal system performance. How Process Scheduling Works ...

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