OPERATING SYSTEM
Assignment: 2
Submitted to:
Madam Mehak
Submitted by:
Hamna Awan
Registration NO:
BCS07193114
Class:
(BScs) 4th
Departm
ent of
computer science
University of Lahore
System Call in OS: Types and Examples
What is System Call in Operating System?
A system call is a mechanism that provides the interface between a process
and the operating system. It is a programmatic method in which a computer
program requests a service from the kernel of the OS.
System call offers the services of the operating system to the user programs
via API (Application Programming Interface). System calls are the only entry
points for the kernel system.
Example of System Call
For example if we need to write a program code to read data from one file,
copy that data into another file. The first information that the program requires
is the name of the two files, the input and output files.
In an interactive system, this type of program execution requires some system
calls by OS.
First call is to write a prompting message on the screen
Second, to read from the keyboard, the characters which define the two
files.
How System Call Works?
Here are steps for System Call:
In an interactive system, this type of program execution requires some system
calls by OS.
First call is to write a prompting message on the screen
Second, to read from the keyboard, the characters which define the two
files.
As you can see in the above-given diagram.
Step 1) The processes executed in the user mode till the time a system call
interrupts it.
Step 2) After that, the system call is executed in the kernel-mode on a priority
basis.
Step 3) Once system call execution is over, control returns to the user mode.,
Step 4) The execution of user processes resumed in Kernel mode.
Why do you need System Calls in OS?
Following are situations which need system calls in OS:
Reading and writing from files demand system calls.
If a file system wants to create or delete files, system calls are required.
System calls are used for the creation and management of new
processes.
Network connections need system calls for sending and receiving
packets.
Access to hardware devices like scanner, printer, need a system call.
Types of System calls
Here are the five types of system calls used in OS:
Process Control
File Management
Device Management
Information Maintenance
Communications
Process Control
This system calls perform the task of process creation, process termination,
etc.
Functions:
End and Abort
Load and Execute
Create Process and Terminate Process
Wait and Signed Event
Allocate and free memory
File Management
File management system calls handle file manipulation jobs like creating a file,
reading, and writing, etc.
Functions:
Create a file
Delete file
Open and close file
Read, write, and reposition
Get and set file attributes
Device Management
Device management does the job of device manipulation like reading from
device buffers, writing into device buffers, etc.
Functions
Request and release device
Logically attach/ detach devices
Get and Set device attributes
Information Maintenance
It handles information and its transfer between the OS and the user program.
Functions:
Get or set time and date
Get process and device attributes
Communication:
These types of system calls are specially used for interprocess
communications.
Functions:
Create, delete communications connections
Send, receive message
Help OS to transfer status information
Attach or detach remote devices
Rules for passing Parameters for System Call
Here are general common rules for passing parameters to the System Call:
Parameters should be pushed on or popped off the stack by the
operating system.
Parameters can be passed in registers.
When there are more parameters than registers, it should be stored in a
block, and the block address should be passed as a parameter to a
register.
Important System Calls Used in OS
wait()
In some systems, a process needs to wait for another process to complete its
execution. This type of situation occurs when a parent process creates a child
process, and the execution of the parent process remains suspended until its
child process executes.
The suspension of the parent process automatically occurs with a wait()
system call. When the child process ends execution, the control moves back
to the parent process.
fork()
Processes use this system call to create processes that are a copy of
themselves. With the help of this system Call parent process creates a child
process, and the execution of the parent process will be suspended till the
child process executes.
exec()
This system call runs when an executable file in the context of an already
running process that replaces the older executable file. However, the original
process identifier remains as a new process is not built, but stack, data, head,
data, etc. are replaced by the new process.
kill():
The kill() system call is used by OS to send a termination signal to a process
that urges the process to exit. However, a kill system call does not necessarily
mean killing the process and can have various meanings.
exit():
The exit() system call is used to terminate program execution. Specially in the
multi-threaded environment, this call defines that the thread execution is
complete. The OS reclaims resources that were used by the process after the
use of exit() system call.
