The document explains the two modes in which a process can run: kernel mode and user mode. Kernel mode has full access to hardware and system resources, while user mode operates with restricted access and priority. Key differences between the two modes include crash consequences, execution capabilities, and access to memory.

1. Context of a process

2. • The context of a process is its state or
mode in which a process runs.
The PROCESS can Run in Two modes:
 Kernel mode
 User mode

3. Kernel mode
• Is commonly referred to as the
supervisor mode .
• System processes such as swapping,
memory allocation , house keeping and
administrative functions, run in kernel
mode.

4. User mode
• Is the mode in which user processes run.
• User process such as application programs,
utility programs run in user mode, but switch
to kernel mode when there is an exception or
system call.

5. Differences between kernel mode and user mode
Kernel mode User mode
1. Executing code has complete and
unrestricted access to the underlying
hardware.
1. Executing code has no ability to directly
access hardware or reference memory.
2. It can execute any CPU instruction and
reference any memory address.
2. It can not execute.
3. Crashes in kernel mode are
catastrophic; they will halt the entire PC.
3. Crashes in user mode are always
recoverable.
4. It cannot be arbitrarily suspended and
replaced by another process.
4. It can be interrupted by an interrupt
or an exception.
5. A process running in kernel mode
can read or write directly to OS
memory.
5. A process running in user mode can't
read or write directly to OS memory.
6. Programs run in system level. 6. Programs run in a application level.
7. Kernel mode has higher priority. 7. User mode has lower priority.