What is process synchronization in an operating system?

Process synchronization in an operating system is the coordination of concurrent processes to prevent conflicts and ensure smooth execution.

In a more detailed explanation, process synchronization is a vital concept in an operating system, particularly in a multi-processing environment where multiple processes are executed concurrently. The main aim of process synchronization is to protect shared data and resources from concurrent processes that might try to access or modify them simultaneously. This is crucial because unsynchronised access can lead to inconsistencies and unexpected results, disrupting the overall functioning of the system.

Process synchronization uses various mechanisms to ensure that only one process can access a shared resource at a given time. This is often referred to as mutual exclusion. The mechanisms used for process synchronization include semaphores, monitors, and locks. These tools help to manage and control the execution order of processes, ensuring that they do not interfere with each other.

For instance, consider a scenario where two processes are trying to access and modify the same data simultaneously. Without process synchronization, both processes might read the data at the same time, make modifications, and then write back the results. This could lead to a situation where the changes made by one process are overwritten by the other, leading to data inconsistency.

Process synchronization also helps to handle dependencies between processes. Some processes might depend on the results or outputs of other processes. In such cases, process synchronization ensures that the dependent processes do not start executing until the processes they depend on have completed their execution.

In summary, process synchronization is a critical aspect of an operating system that ensures the correct and consistent execution of concurrent processes. It prevents conflicts and inconsistencies that can arise from unsynchronised access to shared resources, and manages dependencies between processes to ensure that they execute in the correct order.