Process Management : MCQs & PYQs with Explanation

Option C

The fork() System Call creates a new child process. After each fork(), both the parent and the newly created child continue executing the next iterations of the loop.
for(i=0; i<p; i++)
{
    fork();
}
In the above given loop, at each iteration, the number of processes doubles.

• Child Processes = Total processes - 1

Option A

A Process Switch (Context Switch) occurs when the CPU changes from one process to another. When the currently running process requests an I/O operation, it cannot continue execution, so it moves to the blocked state.
At this point, the CPU selects one process from the ready queue and starts executing it. This results in only one context switch, from the running process to the next ready process.
Even though there are three processes in the ready queue, only one process is selected at a time, so only one switch occurs.

Option B

In operating systems, different time metrics are used to evaluate process performance.
Response Time refers to the time interval between when a process is submitted and when it first starts responding i.e., produces the first output or gets CPU for the first time. It does not consider the completion of the process.

Option A

Cascading termination refers to the situation where the termination of a parent process leads to the automatic termination of all its child processes. This mechanism is implemented by the operating system to avoid the creation of orphan processes, which are child processes left without a parent to manage them.

Importantly, cascading termination occurs regardless of whether the parent process terminates normally after completing its execution or abnormally due to an error or external interruption. This policy helps maintain system stability by cleaning up all associated child processes when the parent ends.

Option B

In an Operating System, a process changes its state based on its activity. When a process is executing and encounters an I/O instruction like reading from a file or waiting for input, it cannot continue execution until the I/O operation is completed.
At this point, the process moves from the running state to the Blocked or Waiting state because it is waiting for the I/O operation to finish. Once the I/O is completed, the process moves back to the Ready State.

Option B

A process passes through different states during its execution. The operating system uses these states to manage CPU allocation and process execution. The most common process states are New, Ready, Running, Blocked (Waiting), and Terminated.
When a process requests an I/O operation (such as reading a file or receiving input from a keyboard), it cannot continue execution until the I/O operation is completed. Therefore, the process enters the Blocked (Waiting) state.
Once the I/O operation is completed, the process does not immediately get the CPU. Instead, it moves to the Ready state, where it waits for the CPU scheduler to assign the CPU.
Process State:
New
   ↓
Ready
   ↓
Running
   ↓
Blocked (Waiting for I/O)
   ↓
Ready
   ↓
Running
   ↓
Terminated

Option D

When a parent process creates a child process, two situations are possible depending on the program design. 

• The parent process may continue executing concurrently with its child process, meaning both run simultaneously. 
• Alternatively, the parent process may wait until some or all of its child processes terminate before continuing execution.

Option B

An operating system manages multiple processes simultaneously. To keep track of each process, the operating system stores all important information related to the process in a special data structure called the Process Control Block (PCB).
PCB contains information such as:

• Process ID.
• Process State.
• Program Counter.
• CPU Registers.
• Memory Allocation Details.

Whenever the CPU switches from one process to another, the operating system uses the PCB to save and restore process information.

Option C

In an operating system, a program and a process are closely related concepts, but they are not the same. 
A program is a set of instructions stored on a storage device, whereas a process is the actual execution of those instructions.
A program is a passive entity because it is simply a collection of instructions stored in a file. It does not perform any action by itself.
A process is an active entity because it is a program that is currently being executed by the CPU. A process has its own state, program counter, registers, memory allocation, and other resources.

Option C

In an Operating System (OS), a process changes from the running state to the waiting state when it cannot continue execution until some event occurs. This usually happens when the process needs an external operation or resource.
A running process moves to the wait state in situations such as:

• Requesting an Input/Output operation.
• Waiting for another process.
• Waiting for a resource or event.

If a higher priority process arrives, the current process may move from Running State to Ready State, not to waiting state.
A Lower Priority process does not affect the currently running process.

Option D

When a process is in the Blocked State, it is waiting for some I/O service or resource to become available. Once the I/O operation or the required event is completed, the process cannot immediately start executing because the CPU may currently be busy with other processes. Therefore, it transitions to the Ready State.

Option A

Option B

A context switch occurs when the CPU switches from executing one process (or thread) to another.

During this switch, the state (context) of the currently running process must be saved so that it can resume later exactly where it left off. The new process’s context is then loaded so that it can continue its execution.
The context of a process is stored in a special data structure called the Process Control Block (PCB).
The system saves all the information required to restart the process later, including, CPU Register Values (like program counter, accumulator, etc.), Process State (e.g., ready, waiting, running), Memory Management Information (base and limit registers, page tables, etc.)
This ensures that when the process resumes, it continues execution from the exact same point.

Option C

In an operating system, when a process is given low memory allocation, it does not have enough pages in main memory. As a result, it frequently tries to access pages that are not present in memory, leading to a high page fault rate.
A Page Fault occurs when the required page is not in memory and must be fetched from disk. During this time, the process cannot continue execution and has to wait until the page is loaded. Hence, the process is moved to the Blocked (Waiting) State.

Option C

In an Operating System, when the CPU moves from executing one process or thread to another, it must save the current state like registers, program counter, etc. and load the state of the next process. This complete operation is called a Context Switch.
It ensures that each process resumes execution from where it was paused, maintaining proper multitasking.