Difference between revisions of "Process"
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| − | A '''process''' is the most common computational abstraction in a [[multi-tasking]] [[operating system]]. It is effectively a 'virtual computer' (but not in the sense of a [[virtual machine]]), | + | A '''process''' is the most common computational abstraction in a [[multi-tasking]] [[operating system]]. It is effectively a 'virtual computer' (but not in the sense of a [[virtual machine]]), to which the OS provides resources ([[main memory|memory]], computing time, [[input/output|I/O]], etc) as required. |
The virtual computer is basically a restricted version of the underlying [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]], but also enhanced with other capabilities, provided by the OS (e.g. I/O to a [[file system]], as well as devices attached to the system). | The virtual computer is basically a restricted version of the underlying [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]], but also enhanced with other capabilities, provided by the OS (e.g. I/O to a [[file system]], as well as devices attached to the system). | ||
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* the ability to wait for some event. | * the ability to wait for some event. | ||
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Revision as of 17:27, 20 October 2018
A process is the most common computational abstraction in a multi-tasking operating system. It is effectively a 'virtual computer' (but not in the sense of a virtual machine), to which the OS provides resources (memory, computing time, I/O, etc) as required.
The virtual computer is basically a restricted version of the underlying CPU, but also enhanced with other capabilities, provided by the OS (e.g. I/O to a file system, as well as devices attached to the system).
(The limitations are to remove the ability to peform those operations which could damage/etc other processes; these limitations are usually enforced by the hardware of the CPU, as directed by the OS.)
A process is usually provided with a complete address space all its own, implemented using real memory on the underlying hardware - although virtual memory may be used to provide it.
Other capabilities usually provided to a proceess by the OS include:
- timers;
- the ability to run programs;
- tools to debug programs;
- the ability to communicate with other processes;
- the ability to create new processes, or shut this one down;
- the ability to wait for some event.
