In computers, an address is used to identify a location in the computer memory. In operating systems, there are two types of addresses, namely, logical address and physical address. A logical address is the virtual address that is generated by the CPU. A user can view the logical address of a computer program. On the other hand, a physical address is one that represents a location in the computer memory. A user cannot view the physical address of a program. Read this article to find out more about logical and physical address and how they are different from each other. ... Read More

In this post, we will understand the difference between symmetric and asymmetric multiprocessing −Asymmetric MultiprocessingIn this kind of multiprocessing, the processors are not considered as equal.The task of the operating system is done by the master processor.There is no communication between the processors since they are controlled by the master processor only.In this multiprocessing, process follow the master-slave pattern.The systems are relatively inexpensive.This kind of multiprocessing systems are easier to design.Symmetric MultiprocessingIn this kind of multiprocessing, all the processors are considered equal.The tasks of the operating system are done by individual processors.All the processors communicate with each other since they ... Read More

In Operating Systems, Preemptive Scheduling is a type of CPU scheduling method in which the CPU is allocated for a limited time to a given process. In contrast, Non-Preemptive Scheduling is the scheduling technique in which the CPU is allocated to a process and hold by it till the process gets terminated. Read this article to learn more about Preemptive and Non-Preemptive Scheduling in Operating System and how they are different from each other. What is Preemptive Scheduling? Preemptive Scheduling is a type of CPU scheduling in which the resources (CPU Cycle) have been allocated to a process for a ... Read More

In this post, we will understand the difference between internal and external fragmentation −Internal FragmentationThe difference between the memory allocated and the space required is known as internal fragmentation.In this fragmentation, fixed-sized memory blocks are used to process data.This process occurs when a method or process is larger than the required memory.The method used in internal fragmentation is ‘best-fit’ block.It occurs when the memory is divided into fixed sized partitions.External FragmentationThe unused spaces that is formed between fragments of non-contiguous memory, which are too small to help with a new process, is known as external fragmentation.It uses variable-sized memory blocks ... Read More

In this post, we will understand the difference between contiguous and non-contiguous memory allocation −Contiguous Memory AllocationIn this allocation type, the consecutive blocks of memory is allocated to a file/process.It executes quickly in comparison to non-contiguous memory.It is easy to be controlled by the operating system.Minimum overhead since there are not many address translation when a process is being executed.There is internal fragmentation in contiguous memory allocation.There are different types of partitions: Single partition allocation and multi-partition allocation.Memory gets wasted.The swapped-in process is arranged in the originally allocated space itself.Non-contiguous Memory AllocationIn this type of allocation, separate blocks of memory ... Read More

Both multitasking and multithreading are the concepts related to the operating system of the computer. One major difference between multitasking and multithreading is that multitasking allows the CPU of computer to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, while multithreading allows the CPU to execute multiple threads of the same process simultaneously. Read through this article to find out more about Multitasking and Multithreading and how they are different from each other. Let's start with some basics first. What is Multitasking? When a single CPU is allowed to execute multiple tasks at the same time, it is called the multitasking. In ... Read More

Both Semaphore and Monitor are types of process synchronization tools in operating systems. Semaphores and monitors allow the different processes to utilize the shared resources in mutual exclusion, however they are different from each other. The basic difference between a semaphore and a monitor is that a semaphore is an integer variable, whereas a monitor is an abstract data type. Read this article to find out more about semaphores and monitors and how they are different from each other. What is Semaphore? A semaphore is a process synchronizing tool. It is basically an integer variable, denoted by "S". The ... Read More

In operating systems, both deadlock and starvation are unwanted situations that take place when the processes that need a shared resource block each other's progress indefinitely. Both are unwanted situations; however, a deadlock is quite different than a starvation. In this article, we will discuss all the important differences between deadlock and starvation. What is Deadlock? A deadlock is a condition in operating systems in which no process proceeds for execution and waits for resources that have been acquired by some other processes. Thus, in the case of a deadlock condition, the process simply gets blocked. Deadlock is also known ... Read More

A computing system which consists of more than two processors is known as a multiprocessor system. Multiprocessor systems are broadly classified into two categories− loosely coupled multiprocessor system and tightly coupled multiprocessor system. In a loosely coupled multiprocessor system, the degree of coupling between different processor is low; whereas a tightly coupled multiprocessor system has high degree of coupling between different processors of the system. Read this article to find more about loosely coupled and tightly coupled multiprocessor systems and how they are different from each other. What is a Loosely Coupled Multiprocessor System? A multiprocessor which has very ... Read More

In this post, we will understand the difference between a linker and a loader −LinkerThe main function of the linker is to generate executable files.The linker takes the input as the object code which would be generated by a compiler/assembler.The process of linking can be understood as a method to combine different snippets of code in order to obtain executable code.There are two types of linkers available: Linkage Editor and Dynamic Linker.Linker also helps combine all the object modules.Linker is responsible to arrange the objects in the program’s address space.LoaderThe main function of a loader is to load executable files ... Read More