resource allocation - TarisMajor/5143-OpSystems GitHub Wiki

Resource Allocation

Resource allocation is the process of assigning and managing system resources—such as CPU cycles, memory, and disk space—among competing processes or tasks. Efficient resource allocation ensures that each process gets the resources it needs to execute while maintaining overall system performance and stability.

Resource allocation strategies include time-sharing (allocating time slices to processes), prioritization (assigning more resources to high-priority tasks), and load balancing (distributing resources evenly across multiple tasks or systems). Effective resource allocation is essential in multi-user and multi-tasking environments, where fair and efficient distribution can prevent system overload and bottlenecks.

Sources:

Tanenbaum, A. S. (2001). Modern Operating Systems. Stallings, W. (2013). Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles.