estion: What is the purpose of the "fork" system call in Unix-like operating systems?A) To create a new processB) To terminate a processC) To wait f

Understanding the "fork" System Call

The "fork" system call in Unix-like operating systems is a critical component of process management. Its primary function is to create a new process, which is essentially a copy of the existing process.

1. Create a New Process: When a process calls fork(), it generates a new process known as the child process. The child process is an almost exact duplicate of the parent process, inheriting its memory, file descriptors, and program counter.

2. Process Identification: After the fork() call, the operating system differentiates between the parent and child processes. The fork() function returns a value of zero to the child process and the child's process ID (PID) to the parent process.

3. Independent Execution: Once created, both processes can execute independently. They can follow different execution paths based on their programming logic.

4. Hierarchical Process Structure: The use of fork() allows for the creation of a hierarchical structure of processes, enabling multitasking in Unix-like systems.

Conclusion

In summary, the purpose of the "fork" system call in Unix-like operating systems is primarily A) To create a new process.