Definition
Process Image
The Process Image is the aggregate of all memory segments required to execute a process. It is the physical instantiation of a program in memory.
Components
The process image consists of:
- Code (Text): The executable machine instructions.
- Data: Global variables and the heap for dynamic allocation.
- User Stack: The LIFO structure used for function calls in user mode.
- Kernel Stack: A separate stack used when the process executes in kernel mode (e.g., during system calls).
- PCB: The data structure holding the process context.
