Operating System Questions Medium
A preemptive scheduling algorithm is one in which the operating system can interrupt a running process and allocate the CPU to another process. This interruption can occur at any time, even if the currently running process has not completed its execution. In a preemptive scheduling algorithm, the operating system has control over the execution of processes and can prioritize them based on factors such as priority levels or time slices.
On the other hand, a non-preemptive scheduling algorithm does not allow the operating system to interrupt a running process. Once a process starts executing, it continues until it completes its execution or voluntarily releases the CPU. The operating system has limited control over the execution of processes in a non-preemptive scheduling algorithm and can only allocate the CPU to another process when the currently running process finishes or enters a waiting state.
The main difference between preemptive and non-preemptive scheduling algorithms lies in the level of control the operating system has over the execution of processes. Preemptive algorithms provide more flexibility and responsiveness as the operating system can quickly switch between processes, ensuring fairness and efficient resource utilization. Non-preemptive algorithms, on the other hand, are simpler and may be suitable for scenarios where process execution times are predictable and there is no need for frequent context switching.