Final answer:
The claim that the UNIX process table can handle an infinite number of entries is false; there are practical limits based on system hardware and software constraints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the process table in UNIX permits a virtually infinite number of entries is false. The process table in UNIX has a limited size, which is determined by both system hardware and software constraints. The kernel of a UNIX system is designed to handle a finite number of processes. This limit is defined by several factors, such as the maximum number of process identifiers (PIDs) and system memory allocated for process management.
Therefore, although modern UNIX systems can handle a very large number of processes, especially when compared to earlier computing systems, there is still a physical and practical limit to how many process table entries it can manage. These limitations arise due to factors such as available system memory, CPU resources, and the architectural design of the operating system.