Process Control Block (PCB) in Operating System
What is a Process Control Block (PCB)?
A Process Control Block (PCB) is a data structure used by the Operating System (OS)
to manage and control processes. It stores important details about a process, such
as its current state, memory usage, and CPU scheduling information.
Whenever a new process is created, the OS creates a PCB for it. This helps the OS
keep track of all running processes and allocate resources efficiently.
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Main Components of PCB
1. Process State
Shows the current condition of a process.
Possible states: Running, Waiting, Ready, or Terminated.
2. Process ID
Every process gets a unique identification number (Process ID) assigned by the OS.
Helps in distinguishing between different processes.
3. Program Counter
Stores the last executed instruction of the process.
Helps in resuming the process after a context switch.
4. CPU Registers
Stores the values of CPU registers so that the process can restart correctly after
an interruption.
5. Memory Information
Stores details about the memory allocated to the process.
Includes the base address and total memory size assigned to the process.
6. Process Scheduling Information
Contains details about priority levels and scheduling algorithms used by the OS.
Helps in deciding which process will run next.
7. Accounting Information
Tracks the CPU time, memory usage, and other system resources used by a process.
Helps in monitoring system performance.
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Operations Performed Using PCB
1. Process Scheduling
The OS uses the PCB to decide when and how processes should run.
The scheduler checks priority levels and schedules the process accordingly.
2. Multitasking
PCB helps the OS run multiple processes at the same time by allocating resources
properly.
3. Context Switching
When the CPU switches from one process to another, the process state is stored in
the PCB.
When the process resumes, the OS retrieves the saved state and continues execution.
4. Resource Sharing
The PCB keeps track of resources a process is using (e.g., open files, memory).
Helps in sharing resources between multiple processes.
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Location of PCB in Memory
The PCB is stored in a protected area of memory that normal users cannot access.
Some operating systems place it at the start of the kernel stack for security.
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Advantages of PCB
✔ Helps in process scheduling and efficient CPU resource allocation.
✔ Stores all important details, making process management easier.
✔ Assists in context switching, allowing smooth switching between processes.
✔ Helps in monitoring resource usage and system performance.
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Disadvantages of PCB
✘ Consumes extra memory, as a PCB is needed for every process.
✘ Adds complexity, making it harder to scale the system.
✘ Increases system overhead, as maintaining multiple PCBs requires processing
power.
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Conclusion
The Process Control Block (PCB) is a key part of process management in an OS. It
stores critical information about each process, helping in scheduling,
multitasking, context switching, and resource allocation. Although it adds some
memory and processing overhead, it is essential for efficient system performance.1
