Explain the fork function, Operating System

Assignment Help:

Explain the Fork Function

Fork function causes a new process to be created. The calling progress is duplicated as an exact copy (called the child process) that differs only in process IDs and parent IDs. This function returns the chid's process ID to the parent process and a value of 0 to the child process. After that it is possible to distinguish the two process as a result to the fork () call. The child inherits many handles, IDs, and masks from the parent process. The fork is generally used in conjunction with exec () to load or spawn new process. First the fork is initiated to create a new process context, then exec () is used to overlay the child process with a new executable image. execl(execName, arg0,....) The exec family of functions changes the state of the calling process into a new process.

Once executed, exec will replace the currently executing process with one specified by execName. Optionally parameters may be passed to  the newly running process as variable-number command line arguments (arg0....)  This function is usually used to either replace or overlay  an existing running process or in conjunction with the fork () system call to initiate a new process. Once the fork () call is initiated to copy the process, the child process may in turn exec the new process to be executed. The original process is thus still in memory and active, and the child process has become a new executable image specified by exec Name.


Related Discussions:- Explain the fork function

Describes attributes, What are attributes? Attributes are the one, whic...

What are attributes? Attributes are the one, which explains the properties of data object.

Catalogue the design goals of windows xp, Q. Catalogue the design goals of ...

Q. Catalogue the design goals of Windows XP. Answer: Design goals comprise security and reliability and Windows and POSIX application compatibility with high performance and ex

Explain objectives of the file management system, Problem: a) Define a ...

Problem: a) Define a ‘file' and list the objectives of the file management system. b) List the ways in which programs access files and determine for what file types you woul

What is the design issues involved in segmentation?, SEGMENTATION HARDWARE ...

SEGMENTATION HARDWARE An execution to map two-dimensional user-defined addresses into one-dimensional physical addresses. This mapping is affected by means of segment table. Ev

What is an acyclic graph, What is an acyclic graph? A tree that has bee...

What is an acyclic graph? A tree that has been corrupted by links to other branches, but does not have any cyclic paths in it.

Processes, draw a state diagram showing the transissions of a process from ...

draw a state diagram showing the transissions of a process from creation to termination

What are the advantages of contiguous allocation, What are the advantages o...

What are the advantages of Contiguous allocation? The advantages are a. Supports direct access b. Supports sequential access c. Number of disk seeks is minimal.

Relationship among the capabilities of domain level j and i, Q. In a ring-...

Q. In a ring-protection system the level 0 has the greatest access to objects and level n (greater than zero) has fewer access rights. The access rights of a program at a partic

Explain multiprocessing operating system, Multiprocessing - An Operating S...

Multiprocessing - An Operating System proficient of utilizing and supporting more than one computer processor. Below are some instances of multiprocessing Operating Systems. Li

What is the purpose of the global catalog, Question: (a) i. Consider A...

Question: (a) i. Consider Active Directory as a database, then for each type and new class of objects, what is created? ii. What is the purpose of the global catalog? ii

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd