Operating systems

Dual Mode Operations

Multi-programming put several programs in memory at the same time; while this increased system
utilization it also increased problems.
To ensure proper operation, we must protect the operating system and all other programs and their
data from any malfunctioning program.
Protection is needed for any shared resources. Instruction set of a modern CPU has two kinds:
•User Mode
•Privileged/Monitor/Kernel Mode

Two modes are provided by the hardware are distinguished by a mode bit that indicate the current
mode. Operating System runs in kernel mode and user programs run in user mode. The mode bit for
user mode is 1 and for kernel mode is 0. When interrupt occurs, hardware switches to kernel mode
when the process running in kernel mode, process has full access to machine instruction set and direct
access to hardware.