In earlier times, there were single-task performing systems to run only one process at a time.
But with advancements and growing needs, multiprocessing and multitasking operating systems were developed to simultaneously run multiple processes at a time.
Though, it gave an invitation to problems like deadlock or multiple processes requesting together for the resources or inefficiency in RAM space allocation.
All these problems demanded an apt solution. This instigates or encourages an operating system to carry the task of process management.
Process management in the OS involves several tasks of creating, scheduling and terminating processes into a system so that each of the processes will get executed on time.
This concept is known to perform versatile functions and fulfill several objectives.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss in-depth about the process management in the OS and its various objectives and the multiple roles it performs.
Let’s get started!
What is a process?
A process is basically defined as the execution of a given program which performs specific actions. It is also called the execution unit wherein the particular program runs. An operating system helps in the creation or termination of several processes that are used by a CPU.
The main process is called the child process. The operations of a process can be controlled with the help of process control blocks. You can tout it as the brain of a process that includes all information related to the processing.
It includes various process attributes like the process ID, process state, the CPU registers or CPU scheduling information in order to store the data in an ideal way.
What is process management?
Process management in OS involves multiple tasks like creation, scheduling or termination of several processes with a dead lock. It is defined as a program that is under execution and an integral part of the operating system.
The operating system will allocate all the resources in a way to process the desired information to exchange it ideally. It also helps in the protection of each process from that of various methods so as to allow better synchronisation among all the processes.
When we talk about the process management, it is broadly divided into four types which are:
Program memory: This stores a compiled program code and reads it with the help of non-volatile storage at the launch of a program.Data section: It stores all global and static variables before the execution of main programHeap section: It helps in the management of dynamic memory inside a program. Or, it is defined as a portion memory where your dynamic memory resides via memory deallocation Stack section: It stores the local variables that are defined inside a program or a function. The stack space will be created when the local variables will get declared
Objectives of process control management
When you are studying the process control management, you should its objectives so as to get the smooth running of all the operations.
A process management basically involves the creation or scheduling of all operating system processes It aims at ideal reallocation of all the processes Process control block takes the work of controlling processes in the operating systemTo help in the creation, removal, halting or start of a process Making all the synchronization methods available for the processes Precise assignment of all roles or duties to complete the aligned tasks in a better way
Besides fulfilling the above-mentioned objectives, process management in the OS plays several crucial roles which includes:
Processor management
As the OS needs efficient processors or threads, process management helps in performing this role ideally. It ensures that each process or processor will get enough time for a processor to improve the overall performance of a system.
Device management
Your operating system mainly interacts with the hardware or machines to support the execution of several programs or applications. It also communicates with all the interconnected devices to strike an ideal balance.
The CPU will perform at its desired execution speed for establishing the connection between the operating system and the virtual hardware. There are some special programs known as drivers that help in the execution of programs in the operating system.
It also acts as a translator to get electric signals of the hardware with high-programming languages. It also takes up all the data files that are stored in a system to translate it into a series of streams.
The process will also function as the allocator when it comes to allocating high-priority jobs that are assigned to all drivers in an operating system. There will be new functions that will get added to all drivers without any type of modification.
Process control blocks
When we are talking about the process control blocks, they are defined as the data structures that are maintained by an operating system. It is identified with the help of an integer ID to store the required information in order to keep the track of all running processes.
This process is also accountable for the storage of process registers. The contents are saved in the process to move it from its running state and again return it. Any information available in the block will be updated quickly in that process to make the desired state transition in an ideal way.
Additional learning - dining philosophers problem in os
In the study of OS, you can also learn the crucial concept of dining philosophers problem in os. The dining philosophers problem in os includes all dinners who are engaged in the eating activity with five pates and five forks. A deadlock is there and they have to eat in a way to avoid repetition and to solve the concurrent designing problem.
Wrapping up
Process management helps in the smooth running of all the operating system processes so that the programs will be run efficiently. Learn about this vital concept with this blog and arm yourself with the right knowledge.
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