The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: #include int main() int i; for (i=0; i The total number of child processes created is …

Official answer: 31. Explanation: The `for` loop iterates for i = 0, 1, 2, , 9. The condition `i % 2 == 0` evaluates to true when i \0, 2, 4, 6, 8\, which is a total of 5 times. Each time `fork()` is called, all existing processes create a new child process, effectively doubling the total number of processes. - Total processes after 5 `fork()` calls = 25 = 32. - Since 1 process is the original parent process, the total number of child processes created is: 25 - 1 = 32 - 1 = 31

Operating Systems · Processes, Threads and IPC

Official IIT answer key · IIT Madras · Audited Aug 2026

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GATE CSE 2019 Q17 · NAT · 1 mark

The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: `#include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; }` The total number of child processes created is _______.

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Processes, Threads and IPC

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How GATE tests Processes, Threads and IPC

GATE evaluates the 'Processes' topic primarily through the standard 5-state process lifecycle (New, Ready, Running, Blocked/Waiting, Terminated) and the valid/invalid transitions between these states. Questions consistently test the exact path of a process during execution, preemption, and I/O invocation. Recent trends show a progression from purely theoretical transition checks (MCQ/MSQ) to procedural tracing of state changes in C code execution (NAT).

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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.

Operating Systems · Processes, Threads and IPC

Official IIT answer key · IIT Madras · Audited Aug 2026

Take topic test

GATE CSE 2019 Q17 · NAT · 1 mark

The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: `#include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; }` The total number of child processes created is _______.

Numerical answer

Enter a value to check

Key concept

Processes, Threads and IPC

Step-by-step verified solution

Examiner trap & misconception

Topic notes

How GATE tests Processes, Threads and IPC

Full Processes, Threads and IPC guide →

More on Processes, Threads and IPC

All 15 questions on Processes, Threads and IPC →

Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.

The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: `#include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; }` The total number of child processes created is _______.

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The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: `#include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; }` The total number of child processes created is _______.

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Check you can still solve Processes, Threads and IPC under a clock

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The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: #include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; } The total number of child processes created is _______.

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The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: #include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; } The total number of child processes created is _______.

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Check you can still solve Processes, Threads and IPC under a clock

More from GATE CSE 2019

More on Processes, Threads and IPC

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The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: `#include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; }` The total number of child processes created is _______.

The following C program is executed on a Unix/Linux system: `#include <unistd.h> int main() { int i; for (i=0; i<10; i++) if (i%2 == 0) fork(); return 0; }` The total number of child processes created is _______.