Answer
To enhance security, stability, resource management, and multitasking capabilities
Work Step by Step
CPUs designed for multitasking operating systems are capable of operating at different privilege levels to ensure efficient and secure execution of tasks. This concept is known as privilege separation or privilege escalation.
Different privilege levels, such as user mode and kernel mode, allow the operating system to segregate tasks based on their level of access to system resources. User mode is where most applications run, with restricted access to hardware resources, while kernel mode has unrestricted access to system resources.
This capability is essential for several reasons:
1. **Security**: Operating systems use privilege levels to enforce access control policies. By segregating tasks into different privilege levels, the operating system can prevent unauthorized access to critical system resources and protect against malicious software.
2. **System Stability**: Separating tasks into different privilege levels helps maintain system stability. Critical system functions, such as memory management and device control, are handled at the kernel level to prevent user applications from causing system crashes or instability.
3. **Resource Management**: Privilege levels enable the operating system to allocate system resources efficiently. The kernel can manage resources such as CPU time, memory, and I/O devices effectively, ensuring fair allocation among running processes.
4. **Multitasking Support**: With privilege levels, multitasking operating systems can run multiple processes concurrently while ensuring that each process operates within its designated boundaries. This allows users to switch between applications seamlessly without compromising system security or stability.
