State
As a process executes it changes state according to its circumstances. Linux processes have the following states:
Running
The process is either running (it is the current process in the system) or it is ready to run (it is waiting to be assigned to one of the system’s CPUs).
Waiting
The process is waiting for an event or for a resource. Linux differentiates between two types of waiting process; interruptible and uninterruptible. Interruptible waiting processes can be interrupted by signals whereas uninterruptible waiting processes are waiting directly on hardware conditions and cannot be interrupted under any circumstances.
Stopped
The process has been stopped, usually by receiving a signal. A process that is beingdebugged can be in a stopped state.
Zombie
This is a halted process which, for some reason, still has a task_struct data structure in the task vector. It is what it sounds like, a dead process. ”
My biggest problem understanding this is the “Task_struct” and Task vector.
Any help on this would greatly be appreaciated.
Thanks for any help,
Brian Wright
Computer Information Systems student
Terra Community College
Fremont, Ohio
