Final answer:
The scheduler in operating systems is responsible for determining the order of process execution among ready processes through process scheduling, using various algorithms to ensure efficient CPU utilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scheduler determines which process, among ready processes, is selected next for execution. In operating systems, this component is crucial for managing process execution in a multitasking environment. The scheduler is responsible for process scheduling, which involves utilizing various algorithms to determine the order in which processes get access to the CPU.
There are different scheduling algorithms, such as First-Come, First-Served (FCFS), Shortest Job First (SJF), Priority scheduling, and Round Robin (RR), each with their own set of criteria for how they select the next process for execution depending on the desired performance outcomes like efficiency, fairness, response time, and throughput.
When there are multiple processes ready to run, the operating system uses a scheduling algorithm to decide which process to execute next. This algorithm might prioritize processes based on factors like their priority level, how long they have been waiting, or the amount of CPU time they have already used.
Examples of scheduling algorithms include round-robin, where each process is given a fixed time slice to execute, and priority scheduling, where processes with higher priority levels are executed before processes with lower priority levels.