Synchronization problems and UNIX System V

Abstract

The synchronization of concurrent processes is of great importance in multiprocessing operating systems and a general discussion, together with an exposition of classic synchronization problems, has traditionally appeared in operating systems texts. UNIX System V has a variety of mechanisms for for process synchronization which embody both shared memory and message passing techniques. This paper outlines those mechanisms and presents a set of classic synchronization problems with coded solutions in C for the UNIX System V environment. It also describes how they may be used to illustrate different synchronization techniques in the context of teaching about operating systems.