System Calls

Some previously defined functions used by programs are actually system calls . While resembling library functions in format, system calls request the operating system to directly perform some work on behalf of the invoking process. The code that is executed by the operating system lies within the kernel (the central controlling program that is normally maintained permanently in memory). The system call acts as a high/mid-level language interface to this code. To protect the integrity of the kernel, the process executing the system call must temporarily switch from user mode (with user privileges and access permissions) to system mode (with system/root privileges and access permissions). This switch in context carries with it a certain amount of overhead and may, in some cases, make a system call less efficient than a library function that performs the same task. Keep in mind many library functions ( especially those dealing with input and output) are fully buffered and thus allow the system some control as to when specific tasks are actually executed.

Section 2 of the manual contains the pages on system calls. Issuing an apropos command similar to the one previously discussed but using the value 2 in place of 3 will generate synopsis information on all the system calls defined in the manual pages. It is important to remember that some library functions have embedded system calls. For example, << and >> , the C++ insertion and extraction operators, make use of the underlying system calls read and write .

The relationship of library functions and system calls is shown in Figure 1.4. The arrows in the diagram indicate possible paths of communication, and the dark circles indicate a context switch. As shown, executable programs may make use of system calls directly to request the kernel to perform a specific function. On the other hand, the executable programs may invoke a library function, which in turn may perform system calls.

Figure 1.4. Hardware and software layers .