Computer Science Engineering (CSE) Exam  >  Computer Science Engineering (CSE) Questions  >  A process executes the following codefor (i =... Start Learning for Free
A process executes the following code
for (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();
The total number of child processes created is
  • a)
    n
  • b)
    2^n - 1
  • c)
    2^n
  • d)
    2^(n+1) - 1
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork(...
If we sum all levels of above tree for i = 0 to n-1, we get 2^n - 1. So there will be 2^n – 1 child processes. Also see this post for more details.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork(...
Question Analysis
The given code snippet uses a for loop to execute the fork() function repeatedly. The fork() function creates a new child process by duplicating the existing process. The code snippet is executed for a given value of 'n'. We need to determine the total number of child processes created by this code.

Solution
The number of child processes created can be determined by analyzing the behavior of the fork() function in the given code.

Initial Process
The code starts with an initial process (referred to as the parent process) before any forks are executed.

First Fork
When the first fork() function is executed, it creates a new child process. Now we have two processes - the parent process and the newly created child process.

Second Fork
Both the parent process and the child process execute the next fork() function. This results in two more child processes being created. Now we have four processes - the initial parent process, the first child process, and the two new child processes.

Third Fork
Again, all the existing processes execute the fork() function. This leads to four more child processes being created. Now we have eight processes - the initial parent process, the first child process, the two child processes created in the previous step, and the four new child processes.

Pattern
If we observe the pattern, we can see that at each iteration of the for loop, the number of child processes doubles. Initially, there is only one process (the parent process), and at each iteration, the number of child processes is multiplied by 2.

Total Number of Child Processes
The total number of child processes created can be calculated by multiplying the number of iterations of the for loop by 2^n, where 'n' is the value of 'n' in the code.

In this case, the for loop runs 'n' times. So the total number of child processes created is 2^n.

Adjustment for the Parent Process
However, we need to exclude the initial parent process from the count. So the total number of child processes created is 2^n - 1.

Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B', 2^n - 1.
Explore Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) exam

Top Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE)

A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) 2025 is part of Computer Science Engineering (CSE) preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) exam syllabus. Information about A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE). Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice A process executes the following codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) fork();The total number of child processes created isa)nb)2^n - 1c)2^nd)2^(n+1) - 1Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Computer Science Engineering (CSE) tests.
Explore Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) exam

Top Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE)

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev