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Operating System Report of User Mode and Kernel Mode An Overview

This document provides an overview of the differences between user mode and kernel mode in a computer's operation. User mode is the less privileged mode where applications run, while kernel mode is entered when accessing hardware resources. Key differences are that user mode is restricted while kernel mode is privileged, user mode processes have individual address spaces while kernel mode uses a single space, and failures in kernel mode could crash the entire system. The computer frequently switches between these two modes via system calls when applications request hardware access.

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Omar Abbas
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92 views

Operating System Report of User Mode and Kernel Mode An Overview

This document provides an overview of the differences between user mode and kernel mode in a computer's operation. User mode is the less privileged mode where applications run, while kernel mode is entered when accessing hardware resources. Key differences are that user mode is restricted while kernel mode is privileged, user mode processes have individual address spaces while kernel mode uses a single space, and failures in kernel mode could crash the entire system. The computer frequently switches between these two modes via system calls when applications request hardware access.

Uploaded by

Omar Abbas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Operating System

Report of
User Mode
And
Kernel mode
An Overview
Directed by: Mr. Mohammed Yousif

Abdullah Sirwan
Omar Abbas
Ali Emad
User Mode vs Kernel Mode
A computer operates in two modes which are user mode and kernel
mode. When the computer is running application software, it is in user
mode. After the application software request for hardware, the
computer enters kernel mode. The kernel is the core of the computer
system. Subsequently, the computer frequently switches between user
mode and kernel mode. Most critical tasks of the operating system are
executing in the kernel mode. The key difference between User Mode
and Kernel Mode is that user mode is the mode in which the
applications are running and kernel mode is the privileged mode to
which the computer enters when accessing hardware resources.

What is User Mode?


When a computer application is running, it is in the user mode. Some
examples are word application, PowerPoint, reading a PDF file and
browsing the internet. These are application programs so the computer
is in user mode. When the process is in user mode and requires any
hardware resource, that request is sent to the kernel. As there is a
limited access to hardware in this mode, it is known as less privileged
mode, slave mode or restricted mode.
In user mode, processes get their own address space and cannot access
the address space which belongs to the kernel. So the failure of one
process will not affect the operating system. If there is an interrupt, it
only affects that particular process.

What is Kernel Mode?


A kernel is a software program which is used to access hardware
components of a computer system. Kernel works as a middleware
software for hardware and application software/user programs. Kernel
mode is generally reserved for low level trusted functions of the
operating system.
When the process is executing in user mode and if that process requires
hardware resources such as RAM, printer etc, that process should send
a request to the kernel. These requests are sent through system calls.
Then the computer enters Kernel Mode from user mode. When the
task is completed, the mode changes back to user mode from kernel
mode. This transition is known as “context switching”. Kernel mode is
also called as system mode or privileged mode. It is not possible to run
all processes in the kernel mode because if a process fails the entire
operating system might fail.

There are several types of system calls. Process control system calls
create processes and terminates processes. File management system
calls read, write, create, delete, open, and close files. Device
management system calls request devices and release devices, get and
set device attributes. There are also information maintenance system
calls. They can be used to get system data, time, date. Resource
required by one process might be held by another process. Therefore,
the processes should communicate using communication system calls.
Communication system calls can create and delete connections, send
and receive status information.

What are the Similarities Between User


Mode and Kernel Mode?
The computer can switch between both modes.

What is the Difference Between User


Mode and Kernel Mode?
User Mode vs Kernel Mode
User Mode is a restricted mode, Kernel Mode is the privileged mode,
which the application programs are which the computer enters when
executing and starts out. accessing hardware resources.
Modes
User Mode is considered as the slave Kernel mode is the system mode,
mode or the restricted mode. master mode or the privileged mode.
Address Space
In User mode, a process gets their In Kernel Mode, processes get single
own address space. address space.
Interruptions
In User Mode, if an interrupt occurs, In Kernel Mode, if an interrupt occurs,
only one process fails. the whole operating system might fail.
Restrictions
In user mode, there are restrictions In kernel mode, both user programs
to access kernel programs. Cannot and kernel programs can be accessed.
access them directly.

Summary – User Mode vs Kernel Mode


A computer operates either in user mode or kernel mode. The
difference between User Mode and Kernel Mode is that user mode is
the restricted mode in which the applications are running and kernel
mode is the privileged mode which the computer enters when
accessing hardware resources. The computer is switching between
these two modes. Frequent context switching can slow down the speed
but it is not possible to execute all processes in the kernel mode. That is
because; if one process fails the whole operating system might fail.

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