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Operating Systemsknowledge~5 mins

Process states (new, ready, running, waiting, terminated) in Operating Systems - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

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Recall & Review
beginner
What is the 'New' state in process management?
The 'New' state is when a process is being created but has not yet been admitted to the ready queue for execution.
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beginner
Describe the 'Ready' state of a process.
In the 'Ready' state, a process is loaded into memory and waiting for the CPU to become available so it can start running.
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beginner
What happens when a process is in the 'Running' state?
The process is currently being executed by the CPU in the 'Running' state.
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beginner
Explain the 'Waiting' state in process lifecycle.
A process enters the 'Waiting' state when it cannot continue until some event occurs, like waiting for input or a resource to become available.
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beginner
What does the 'Terminated' state mean for a process?
The 'Terminated' state means the process has finished execution or has been stopped and will be removed from the system.
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Which process state means the process is currently using the CPU?
ARunning
BReady
CWaiting
DNew
In which state does a process wait for an event like input or resource availability?
AWaiting
BNew
CTerminated
DReady
What is the first state of a process when it is created?
AReady
BNew
CRunning
DTerminated
Which state indicates a process is prepared to run but waiting for CPU time?
ARunning
BWaiting
CReady
DTerminated
What happens to a process in the 'Terminated' state?
AIt is being created
BIt is executing
CIt is waiting for CPU
DIt has finished or stopped
Explain the five main process states and what each state represents in simple terms.
Think about the process journey from start to finish.
You got /5 concepts.
    Describe a real-life example that helps you understand the 'Waiting' state of a process.
    Imagine waiting for your turn or for something to be ready.
    You got /3 concepts.

      Practice

      (1/5)
      1. Which process state indicates that a process is ready to use the CPU but is not currently running?
      easy
      A. Ready
      B. Running
      C. Waiting
      D. New

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of the Ready state

        The Ready state means the process has all resources except the CPU and is waiting to be assigned the CPU.

      2. Step 2: Compare with other states

        Running means the process is using the CPU; Waiting means it is waiting for an event; New means it is being created.

      3. Final Answer:

        Ready -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        Ready = waiting for CPU [OK]
      Hint: Ready means waiting for CPU, not running yet [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Confusing Ready with Running
      • Thinking Waiting means ready
      • Mixing New with Ready
      2. Which of the following correctly lists the process states in the order a process typically goes through from start to finish?
      easy
      A. New -> Ready -> Running -> Waiting -> Terminated
      B. New -> Running -> Ready -> Waiting -> Terminated
      C. New -> Ready -> Waiting -> Running -> Terminated
      D. New -> Waiting -> Ready -> Running -> Terminated

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Recall the typical process lifecycle

        A process starts as New, then moves to Ready when prepared to run, then Running when executing.

      2. Step 2: Understand transitions to Waiting and Terminated

        While running, it may wait for I/O (Waiting), then return to Ready or finish (Terminated).

      3. Final Answer:

        New -> Ready -> Running -> Waiting -> Terminated -> Option A

      4. Quick Check:

        Correct lifecycle order = New -> Ready -> Running -> Waiting -> Terminated [OK]
      Hint: Process starts New, then Ready, then Running [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Swapping Ready and Running order
      • Putting Waiting before Ready
      • Skipping New state
      3. Consider a process that is currently in the Waiting state. What will happen next when the event it is waiting for occurs?
      medium
      A. It moves to the Terminated state immediately.
      B. It moves directly to Running state.
      C. It stays in Waiting until manually terminated.
      D. It moves to the Ready state to wait for CPU allocation.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand the Waiting state

        Waiting means the process is paused, waiting for an event like I/O completion.

      2. Step 2: What happens after the event?

        When the event occurs, the process becomes Ready to run but must wait for CPU scheduling.

      3. Final Answer:

        It moves to the Ready state to wait for CPU allocation. -> Option D

      4. Quick Check:

        Waiting ends -> Ready state [OK]
      Hint: Waiting ends, process goes to Ready, not Running directly [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Thinking Waiting goes directly to Running
      • Assuming immediate termination
      • Believing process stays Waiting forever
      4. A process is stuck in the Running state and never moves to Waiting or Terminated. What is the most likely cause?
      medium
      A. The process has just been created and is initializing.
      B. The process is waiting for CPU allocation.
      C. The process is in an infinite loop without I/O or exit.
      D. The process has completed and is terminated.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Analyze the Running state behavior

        Running means the process is executing instructions on the CPU.

      2. Step 2: Understand why it never leaves Running

        If it never moves to Waiting or Terminated, it likely loops endlessly without I/O or exit calls.

      3. Final Answer:

        The process is in an infinite loop without I/O or exit. -> Option C

      4. Quick Check:

        Infinite loop causes stuck Running [OK]
      Hint: Infinite loop keeps process Running endlessly [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Confusing Running with Ready
      • Thinking process is terminated
      • Assuming process is waiting for CPU
      5. A process moves from Ready to Running, then to Waiting, and back to Ready multiple times before termination. What does this pattern indicate about the process's behavior?
      hard
      A. The process is stuck in an infinite loop without I/O.
      B. The process frequently waits for I/O or external events during execution.
      C. The process is terminated and restarted repeatedly.
      D. The process is never scheduled to run on the CPU.

      Solution

      1. Step 1: Understand state transitions

        Moving from Running to Waiting means the process pauses for I/O or events.

      2. Step 2: Returning to Ready means it resumes waiting for CPU after I/O completes.

        This cycle repeats until the process finishes and terminates.

      3. Final Answer:

        The process frequently waits for I/O or external events during execution. -> Option B

      4. Quick Check:

        Running -> Waiting -> Ready cycle = I/O waits [OK]
      Hint: Running to Waiting means I/O wait, then Ready to run again [OK]
      Common Mistakes:
      • Thinking process restarts after termination
      • Assuming infinite loop
      • Believing process never runs