Question

What is the maximum number of processes in the system at any time using the following code segment?

extern char mypath[];

for ( int i = 0; i < 10; i++ ) {

pid_t pid, pid_out;

unsigned char status;

if ( pid = fork() )

pid_out = wait ( &status );

else

  execl ( mypath, "child", "parameter", NULL );

}

Assume that child performs some simple computation and returns the result, that is captured in status.

Answer 1

-->

extern char mypath[];

for ( int i = 0; i < 10; i++ ) {

pid_t pid, pid_out;

unsigned char status;

if ( pid = fork() )

pid_out = wait ( &status );

else

  execl ( mypath, "child", "parameter", NULL );

}

--> If you see above two bold statements each time a fork() is called a new process will be created,

      then the parent process is waiting for the child to complete it's execution before running any new

      code.

--> So, maximum number of process at any time in the system is 2.