Final answer:
SIGTERM and SIGKILL are signals in Unix-like operating systems used to terminate processes. SIGTERM allows for graceful shutdown, whereas SIGKILL forcefully and unavoidably terminates the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of SIGTERM and SIGKILL is to provide mechanisms for controlling the termination of processes in Unix-like operating systems. SIGTERM, which stands for signal terminate, is the default signal sent to a process to request its termination. It allows the process to perform graceful shutdown, releasing resources and saving state if necessary. On the other hand, SIGKILL is a more forceful command that immediately terminates the process without allowing it to clean up. Unlike SIGTERM, SIGKILL cannot be caught, blocked, or ignored by the process, making it a sure way to kill a process that does not respond to SIGTERM.