The Fundamentals of Operating System Scheduling and Multithreading

The Fundamentals of Operating System Scheduling and Multithreading Operating systems manage many tasks at once. Scheduling decides which task runs on the CPU and for how long. Multithreading lets a program run several threads at the same time. Together, scheduling and threading affect how fast programs respond and how much work a computer can do. CPU scheduling looks at several factors: how long a task needs the CPU, how urgent it is, and how much work is already done. The goal is to be fair, avoid long waits, and use the processor efficiently. In practice, the kernel divides time into slices and rotates tasks so no single task blocks others. This helps keep interactive programs responsive, from web browsers to games. ...

September 22, 2025 · 3 min · 438 words

Gaming Engine Architectures and Systems

Gaming Engine Architectures and Systems A game engine combines many pieces: rendering, physics, input, audio, AI, and more. Architects choose patterns that balance speed, flexibility, and ease of maintenance. The goal is to keep the frame rate smooth while letting teams add new features without rewriting core parts. Key architectural patterns Monolithic engines keep many subsystems together, which can be fast to develop but hard to scale. Entity-Component-System (ECS) focuses on data, not behavior, making it easier to optimize and parallelize. Data-oriented design uses contiguous memory layouts to improve cache hits and performance. The rendering and update loop A typical cycle runs in a fixed rhythm: ...

September 22, 2025 · 2 min · 399 words

Fundamentals of Operating System Scheduling and Synchronization

Fundamentals of Operating System Scheduling and Synchronization Operating systems manage many tasks at once. Scheduling decides which process runs on the CPU and for how long. A good schedule keeps the system responsive, balances work, and makes efficient use of cores. Synchronization protects data when several tasks run at the same time. Together, scheduling and synchronization shape how fast programs feel and how safely they run. Two core ideas guide most systems: scheduling and synchronization. Scheduling answers when a task runs and how long it may use the CPU. Systems use preemptive (the OS can interrupt a task) or non-preemptive approaches. Each choice affects fairness and overhead, and it changes how quickly users see responses. Synchronization focuses on the safe sharing of data. If two tasks access the same memory at once, you risk a race condition unless you protect the critical section with proper tools. ...

September 22, 2025 · 3 min · 487 words

A Practical Intro to Operating Systems Internals

A Practical Intro to Operating Systems Internals Understanding what an operating system does inside a computer helps you write better software and design reliable systems. An OS creates a friendly space for your programs to run, protects each program from others, and manages resources like CPU time, memory, and I/O devices. It coordinates many tiny steps behind the scenes so apps feel fast and safe. A modern OS runs in two kinds of code: user mode and kernel mode. User programs run in user mode, while the kernel runs in a privileged mode. When a program needs a service, it performs a system call, the kernel checks permissions, performs the task, and returns control. This boundary keeps faults from crashing the whole system. ...

September 22, 2025 · 3 min · 514 words

The Art of Game Engine Development

The Art of Game Engine Development Building a game engine is the art of balancing performance, clarity, and growth. A good engine serves the game itself, not the other way around. Focus on predictable behavior, clean interfaces, and testable systems. Start small, then let the design scale with your projects. Start with a small, clear core loop. The main loop updates game state, then renders a frame. Treat delta time as a parameter that feeds physics, animation, and AI. Keep the loop simple and free of optional features in early experiments. This makes bugs easier to find and fixes faster. ...

September 21, 2025 · 2 min · 412 words

Mastering Operating Systems Concepts and Practice

Mastering Operating Systems Concepts and Practice An operating system coordinates hardware and software. It creates a stable, usable environment so programs can run without knowing every detail of the machine. This balance between simplicity and control is the core of system design. This article covers the basics and offers practical ways to learn. Focus on how parts of the system interact, not only on theory. Key areas to study include: ...

September 21, 2025 · 2 min · 362 words