In UNIX, processes that have finished execution but have not yet had their…
2016
In UNIX, processes that have finished execution but have not yet had their status collected are known as _________.
- A.
Sleeping processes
- B.
Stopped processes
- C.
Zombie processes
- D.
Orphan processes
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Correct answer: C
Answer: Zombie processes
Explanation: A zombie process is one that has terminated (exited) but whose exit status has not yet been collected by its parent process. The process descriptor remains in the system process table until the parent retrieves the child's exit status.
How it happens: A child process exits but the parent has not called wait() (or an equivalent) to read the exit status.
How it is resolved: The parent calls wait() to collect the status. If the parent exits without collecting it, init/systemd adopts the child and reaps the zombie.
Why other choices are incorrect: Sleeping processes are blocked/waiting, stopped processes are suspended, and orphan processes have lost their parent but are not necessarily terminated and waiting to be reaped.