Linux: Process Control Block(PCB)

Process control block or PCB is a data structure (a table) that holds information about a process. Every process or program that runs needs a PCB. When a user requests to run a particular program, the operating system constructs a process control block for that program. The PCB contains important information about the specific process including:-

·   The current state of the process i.e., whether it is ready, running, waiting, or whatever.

·   Unique identification of the process in order to track "which is which"   information.

·    A pointer to parent process.

·    Similarly, a pointer to child process (if it exists).

·    The priority of process (a part of CPU scheduling information).

·    Pointers to locate memory of processes.

·    A register save area.