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Context-Switching-in-Operating-Systems

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7 views9 pages

Context-Switching-in-Operating-Systems

Uploaded by

divyanshsingh70391
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Context Switching in

Operating Systems
Context switching is a fundamental concept in operating systems that allows
efficient utilization of system resources by rapidly alternating between different
processes or threads, giving each the illusion of exclusive access to the CPU.

by Sam
Definition of Context Switching

1 Switching Execution 2 Saving State 3 Restoring State


Context switching involves The current state of the CPU, The saved state is then restored
suspending the currently running including registers, program counter, when the previous process is
process and resuming a previously and other data, must be saved resumed, allowing it to continue
suspended process. before switching to another process. execution from where it left off.
Importance of Context Switching
Improved Utilization Responsiveness Fairness
Context switching allows the CPU to be By rapidly switching between processes, Context switching ensures that all
utilized more effectively by keeping it the system can respond quickly to user processes get a fair share of CPU time,
busy with multiple processes, rather than input and system events. preventing any one process from
letting it idle. monopolizing the system.
Components of Context Switching
Process State OS Scheduler
The current state of the running process, including registers, The operating system's scheduler is responsible for deciding
program counter, and other CPU-specific data. when and how to perform context switches.

1 2 3

Memory Management
The memory pages and address spaces associated with the
current process must be saved and restored.
Process of Context
Switching
Suspend Current Process
1 The currently running process is suspended, and its state is
saved in memory.

Select Next Process


2 The operating system's scheduler selects the next process to
run, based on factors like priority and fairness.

Restore Process State


3 The saved state of the next process is restored, and execution
resumes from where it left off.
Factors Affecting Context
Switching
CPU Architecture Operating System
The design and capabilities of the The operating system's scheduler
CPU can significantly affect the and memory management
speed and efficiency of context algorithms play a crucial role in
switching. optimizing context switching.

Process Complexity Resource Contention


The more complex the process, Competing processes vying for
the more state information must limited system resources can
be saved and restored during a increase the frequency and
context switch. overhead of context switches.
Advantages of Context
Switching

Resource Utilization Responsiveness


Allows the CPU to be used more Enables the system to respond
efficiently by running multiple quickly to user input and system
processes concurrently. events.

Fairness Multitasking
Ensures that all processes get a fair Allows the operating system to run
share of CPU time, preventing any multiple applications simultaneously,
one process from monopolizing the creating the illusion of parallel
system. processing.
Disadvantages of Context Switching
Performance Overhead Increased Latency Reduced Efficiency
The process of saving and restoring Frequent context switches can lead to Context switching can disrupt the CPU's
process state can introduce significant increased latency, as processes may have cache and memory utilization, leading to
overhead, reducing overall system to wait longer to regain access to the reduced efficiency and increased
performance. CPU. resource contention.
Strategies for Efficient
Context Switching
Scheduling Algorithms Memory Management
Operating systems can use Efficient memory management
advanced scheduling algorithms techniques, such as page
to minimize the frequency and swapping and memory
overhead of context switches. virtualization, can reduce the
state data that needs to be saved
and restored.

Hardware Support Kernel Optimization


CPU architectures with dedicated Optimizing the operating system
hardware support for context kernel to streamline the context
switching can significantly switching process can lead to
improve the speed and efficiency significant performance
of the process. improvements.

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