A process is the basic executable entity in the MPE/iX operating system. When
you enter the following command:
you are directing MPE/iX to create and manage a process that executes the code
found in your program file PROGNAME.
A process, then, can be described as a program and its environment. The
program consists of re-entrant and shared executable code. The environment,
created and managed by MPE/iX, includes all resources that the program may
reference or use that are exterior to the program. Resources may be main
memory, I/O devices, and even other processes. In addition, MPE/iX must keep a
record of the current state of the process and what is currently in the
environment.
Process Components |
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A process in the MPE/iX operating system consists of sharable executable code,
a private data area available to the process, and a data structure commonly
referred to as a process control block that defines the process and contains
pointers to information required for process management.
Process Identification |
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MPE/iX assigns each process a unique Process Identification Number (PIN) when
the process is created. Both you and the system can use the PIN to identify a
process throughout its life span. When the process is finally deleted from the
system, the PIN is released, and can be used again to identify another process.
