Betriebssystemzustände

Betriebssystemzustände, often translated as operating system states or modes, refer to the different operational conditions an operating system can be in. These states define the level of privilege and access the system has to hardware and memory resources. Primarily, operating systems operate in two main states: user mode and kernel mode.

User mode is a restricted state where applications and non-privileged processes execute. In this mode, programs have limited access to system resources and hardware. If a user-mode process needs to perform a privileged operation, such as accessing hardware or managing memory, it must request this through a system call. The operating system kernel then handles the request, performing the operation on behalf of the user process.

Kernel mode, also known as supervisor mode or privileged mode, is the most powerful state. The operating system kernel and its core components run in this mode. Kernel mode has unrestricted access to all hardware and memory. This allows the kernel to manage system resources, schedule processes, handle interrupts, and enforce security policies. When a system call is made from user mode, the operating system switches to kernel mode to execute the privileged instruction. After the operation is complete, it switches back to user mode.

The distinction between these modes is crucial for system stability and security. It prevents errant or malicious user programs from directly interfering with the operating system or other critical system components, thereby protecting the integrity and security of the entire system. Some systems may have additional modes for specific hardware functionalities or security levels, but user and kernel mode form the fundamental basis of most operating system state management.