Topic 3b
Coordinating Activities and Shared Resources

Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic students should be able to:

  • Given one of the following vocabulary words, give a brief definition of the term and how the item applies in the normal operation of an operating system.
    • Time slice
    • Process (context) switch
    • Interrupt
    • Semaphore
    • Critical Region
    • Mutual Exclusion
    • Deadlock
  • Explain the concept of a process in modern operating systems.
  • Identify several of the challenges and/or concerns when working with a modern multi-process system when it comes to competition for shared resources.
  • Discuss the conditions necessary for deadlock to occur.
  • Discuss methods modern operating systems employ to avoid deadlock.

 

Learning Materials

  • Readings
    • Section 3.3-3.4 - pp 163-171 in your book
  • Videos
  • Unplugged Activity
    • When this course has a face-to-face component I conduct a hands-on, unplugged activity that gives participants an opportunity to explore the problem of deadlock and begin to discuss techniques to avoid deadlock.
    • While you do not have an opportunity to complete this activity with your peers, I think it is worth your time to read the activity and consider what it would look like both with adults and with your students.
    • Deadlock Unplugged Activity
  •  

Checking for Understanding

Answer the following questions from your textbook. The answers to all Q&E questions are in the back of your book in Appendix F.

  • p 166, #1
  • p 166, #2
  • p 166, #4 (I don't honestly care about the math, but the answer solidifies what is happening in this topic. Furthermore, we feel there is a math error in the answer in the back of the book).
  • p 166, #5 (ditto)
  • p 171, #1
  • p 171, #2
  • p 171, #3
  • p 171, #4

 

Answers & Guidance

The answers to the CFU questions above are provided in the back of the book. The following videos explain how we would arrive at some of those answers.