Summary

Processes are generated by the fork system call. The process that issues the fork system call is known as the parent, and the new process as the child. Child processes may have their executable code overlaid with other executable code via an exec system call. When a process finishes executing its code, performs a return in the function main , or makes an exit system call, the process terminates. Parent processes may wait for their child processes to terminate. Terminating child processes return status information that can be examined by the parent process.