Let the time taken to switch between user and kernel modes of executio...
Explanation:
To understand why option 'C' is the correct answer, let's break down the question and analyze each scenario separately.
1. Switching between user and kernel modes (t1):
When a program running in user mode needs to execute a system call or request a service from the operating system, it needs to switch from user mode to kernel mode. This switch involves changing the CPU's mode and transferring control to the operating system.
The time taken to switch between user and kernel modes (t1) is typically very small because it only involves a few instructions to change the mode and transfer control. This time is usually measured in nanoseconds.
2. Switching between two processes (t2):
When the operating system needs to allocate CPU time to another process, it needs to switch from the currently running process to the new process. This switch involves saving the context of the current process (registers, program counter, etc.), loading the context of the new process, and transferring control to the new process.
The time taken to switch between two processes (t2) is generally larger compared to t1 because it involves saving and restoring the context of the processes. This time is typically measured in microseconds.
Relation between t1 and t2:
Based on the above explanations, it is clear that t1 is smaller than t2. The time taken to switch between user and kernel modes is much smaller compared to the time taken to switch between two processes.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'C': t1 < t2.="" />