A set of processes in computing refers to multiple instances of programs that are being executed by a computer's operating system. Each process is an active execution unit with its own memory space and system resources. Processes can be managed through various scheduling algorithms to optimize CPU utilization and resource allocation.
Characteristics of a Process
- A process is an instance of a program in execution, consisting of executable code, data, stack, and heap.
- Each process is represented by a Process Control Block (PCB), which holds information like process state, program counter, CPU registers, memory management information, and I/O status.
- Processes go through a life cycle with states such as new, ready, running, waiting (or blocked), and terminated.
Process Management in Operating Systems
- Operating systems manage multiple processes using process scheduling to determine the order of execution.
- Scheduling algorithms include First-Come, First-Served (FCFS), Shortest Job First (SJF), priority scheduling, and Round Robin (RR), each with different strategies to improve responsiveness and efficiency.
- Processes may also involve inter-process communication and synchronization to coordinate actions and share resources safely.
Example Use of a Set of Processes
- In multitasking systems, several processes run concurrently, sharing the CPU through time-sharing or preemptive scheduling.
- Each process may represent a separate user program, system task, or service running in parallel.
This overview encapsulates the concept of a set of processes and their management in computer systems.
