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A Process Control Block (PCB, also called Task Controlling Block or Task Struct) is a data structure in the operating system kernel containing the information needed to manage a particular process. The PCB is "the manifestation of a process in an operating system".[1]

Included information

Implementations differ, but in general a PCB will include, directly or indirectly:

  • The identifier of the process (a process identifier, or PID)
  • Register values for the process including, notably, the program counter and stack pointer values for the process.
  • The address space for the process
  • Priority (in which higher priority process gets first preference. eg., nice value on Unix operating systems)
  • Process accounting information, such as when the process was last run, how much CPU time it has accumulated, etc.
  • Pointer to the next PCB i.e. pointer to the PCB of the next process to run
  • I/O Information (i.e. I/O devices allocated to this process, list of opened files, etc)

During context switch, the running process is stopped and another process is given a chance to run. The kernel must stop the execution of the running process, copy out the values in hardware registers to its PCB, and update the hardware registers with the values from the PCB of the new process.

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What is process control block in operating system?

All of the information needed to keep track of a process when switching is kept in a data package called process control block.s A PCB is a data structure in the operating system kernel containing the information needed to manage a particular process. The PCB is the manifestation of a process in an operating system,


What is the function of process control block?

A process in an operating system is represented by a data structure known as a process control block (PCB) or process descriptor. The PCB contains important information about the specific process includingThe current state of the process i.e., whether it is ready, running, waiting, or whatever.Unique identification of the process in order to track "which is which" information.A pointer to parent process.Similarly, a pointer to child process (if it exists).The priority of process (a part of CPU scheduling information).Pointers to locate memory of processes.A register save area.The processor it is running on.The PCB is a certain store that allows the operating systems to locate key information about a process. Thus, the PCB is the data structure that defines a process to the operating systems.


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The major function of any operating system is to control and manage hardware. The other four most common functions of the operating system are to run applications, store data, retrieve data, and manage user content for multiple users.


What is the difference between PCB and TCB in Operating System?

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There are basically four types of operating systems. They include Batch Operating System, Multiprogramming Operating System, Network Operating System and Distributed Operating System.

Related Questions

What is process control block in operating system?

All of the information needed to keep track of a process when switching is kept in a data package called process control block.s A PCB is a data structure in the operating system kernel containing the information needed to manage a particular process. The PCB is the manifestation of a process in an operating system,


Explain the purpose of process control block?

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What is the function of process control block?

A process in an operating system is represented by a data structure known as a process control block (PCB) or process descriptor. The PCB contains important information about the specific process includingThe current state of the process i.e., whether it is ready, running, waiting, or whatever.Unique identification of the process in order to track "which is which" information.A pointer to parent process.Similarly, a pointer to child process (if it exists).The priority of process (a part of CPU scheduling information).Pointers to locate memory of processes.A register save area.The processor it is running on.The PCB is a certain store that allows the operating systems to locate key information about a process. Thus, the PCB is the data structure that defines a process to the operating systems.


State and explain 5 most common functions in any operating system?

The major function of any operating system is to control and manage hardware. The other four most common functions of the operating system are to run applications, store data, retrieve data, and manage user content for multiple users.


Is Windows 95 an operating system or an operating environment?

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Explain all types of operating system with diagram?

There are basically four types of operating systems. They include Batch Operating System, Multiprogramming Operating System, Network Operating System and Distributed Operating System.


What is the difference between PCB and TCB in Operating System?

PCB stands for Process Control Block, and TCB stands for Task Context Buffer. Both of them represent a buffer/array which stores values holded by various registers like Stack Pointer(SP), Program Counter(PC), and other variables while task switching takes place.


What are 5 Classification of each operating system?

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