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.
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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.