Process Synchronization: Master Concurrency in Operating Systems

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

To prevent interference between processes accessing shared resources.

Answer

To ensure synchronization only in multi-threaded environments.

Answer

To define the mechanisms for process synchronization using synchronization primitives.

Question 2

Which synchronization technique is NOT used in process management?

Accepted Answer

Threads

Answer

Semaphores

Answer

Mutexes

Answer

Condition variables

Question 3

What is the primary function of a mutex in process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

Allowing exclusive access to a shared resource by only one process at a time

Answer

Blocking all processes from accessing a shared resource

Answer

Enabling multiple processes to access a shared resource simultaneously

Answer

Determining the execution order of processes

Question 4

Which synchronization mechanism is used to notify waiting processes that a specific condition has been met?

Accepted Answer

Condition variable

Answer

Semaphore

Answer

Mutex

Answer

Flag variable

Question 5

Define a race condition in the context of concurrent processes.

Accepted Answer

A situation where multiple processes accessing shared data concurrently can lead to incorrect results

Answer

An unexpected termination of a process

Answer

A deadlock between two or more processes

Answer

A condition where a process is indefinitely deprived of resources

Question 6

Explain the distinction between preemptive and non-preemptive scheduling in operating systems.

Accepted Answer

Preemptive scheduling allows higher-priority processes to interrupt running processes, while non-preemptive scheduling does not.

Answer

Non-preemptive scheduling allows higher-priority processes to interrupt running processes, while preemptive scheduling does not.

Answer

Preemptive scheduling is more efficient than non-preemptive scheduling.

Answer

Non-preemptive scheduling is more efficient than preemptive scheduling.

Question 7

Which type of deadlock is NOT commonly encountered in operating systems?

Accepted Answer

Livelock

Answer

Resource allocation deadlock

Answer

Communication deadlock

Answer

Circular wait deadlock

Question 8

In the context of deadlock prevention, define a safe state.

Accepted Answer

A system state free from deadlocks

Answer

A state where all processes have acquired their required resources

Answer

A state where all resources are allocated to processes

Answer

A state where all processes are waiting for resources

Question 9

Which deadlock avoidance technique involves enforcing an order on resource requests?

Accepted Answer

Resource ordering

Answer

Hold and wait

Answer

Wound wait

Answer

Time stamping

Question 10

What is the primary goal of a deadlock recovery algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Detecting and resolving deadlocks in a system

Answer

Preventing deadlocks from occurring

Answer

Managing resources to avert starvation

Answer

Enhancing system performance by reducing context switches

Question 11

What is the primary purpose of using a semaphore in process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

To enforce exclusive access to shared resources, preventing race conditions

Answer

To signal the availability of resources

Answer

To control the sequence of process execution

Answer

To prevent deadlocks

Question 12

When is it appropriate to use a mutex in process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

To protect critical sections of code, ensuring exclusive access

Answer

To coordinate access to shared data among multiple threads

Answer

To signal the completion of tasks

Answer

To suspend processes until specific conditions are met

Question 13

What is the role of a condition variable in process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

To enable processes to wait for specific conditions to be met before proceeding

Answer

To prevent deadlocks and ensure orderly execution

Answer

To control the priority of processes

Answer

To terminate processes when necessary

Question 14

Which synchronization technique is most suitable for protecting a shared variable that is accessed concurrently by multiple threads?

Accepted Answer

Mutex

Answer

Semaphore

Answer

Condition variable

Answer

Spinlock

Question 15

Explain the difference between a busy wait and a blocking wait in the context of concurrent programming.

Accepted Answer

Busy wait actively polls a condition while blocking wait passively waits for a signal

Answer

Blocking wait actively polls a condition while busy wait passively waits for a signal

Answer

There is no difference between busy wait and blocking wait

Answer

Busy wait is used with semaphores while blocking wait is used with mutexes

Question 16

Explain the concept of livelock and how it differs from deadlock in the context of concurrent programming.

Accepted Answer

Livelock occurs when processes make progress but never complete, while deadlock occurs when processes are completely blocked and cannot proceed

Answer

Livelock occurs when processes are completely blocked, while deadlock occurs when processes make progress but never complete

Answer

Livelock and deadlock are the same thing

Answer

Livelock is caused by circular wait, while deadlock is caused by mutual exclusion

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a recognized technique for process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

Enumeration

Answer

Semaphores

Answer

Condition variables

Answer

Mutexes

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of a semaphore in process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

To manage and regulate access to shared resources.

Answer

To identify and resolve deadlocks.

Answer

To control the execution order of processes.

Answer

To signal when a resource is ready for use.

Question 19

What is the main advantage of utilizing condition variables in place of semaphores?

Accepted Answer

They facilitate process waiting for specific conditions to be fulfilled.

Answer

Enhanced memory efficiency

Answer

More intricate synchronization schemes

Question 20

Define a race condition.

Accepted Answer

A situation where the outcome of a computation is influenced by the sequence of instruction execution.

Answer

A deadlock occurring when processes indefinitely await each other

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of a race condition?

Accepted Answer

Improved system performance

Answer

Deadlocks

Answer

Data corruption

Answer

System crashes

Question 22

What is a deadlock?

Accepted Answer

A state where multiple processes indefinitely wait for each other to release held resources.

Answer

A race condition that occurs when processes simultaneously access the same resource

Question 23

What is the primary objective of deadlock prevention?

Accepted Answer

To guarantee that deadlocks do not occur in the system.

Answer

To detect and recover from deadlocks

Answer

To minimize the impact of deadlocks