Mastering Operating Systems: From Process Scheduling to Virtual Memory
Mastering Operating Systems: From Process Scheduling to Virtual Memory An operating system is the invisible conductor of a computer. It schedules work, protects memory, and helps programs share hardware safely. This article explains two core ideas—process scheduling and virtual memory—and why they matter in everyday use. Process scheduling decides which task runs next and for how long. The goal is to balance speed, fairness, and efficiency. On a single CPU, the scheduler uses context switching to move from one task to another. Common approaches include First-Come-First-Served, Shortest Job Next, and Round-Robin. Preemptive scheduling lets the system interrupt a running task to give time to others; non-preemptive scheduling requires a task to finish or yield. In real systems, priorities, aging, and simple fairness help prevent long waits. ...