What are the advantages and disadvantages of Shortest Job First (SJF) scheduling?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Shortest Job First (SJF) scheduling?

The Shortest Job First (SJF) scheduling algorithm prioritizes processes with the shortest execution time. Its main advantages include reduced average waiting time and improved turnaround time. However, it can lead to starvation for longer processes and is not suitable for time-sharing systems.

Can you explain why SJF can cause starvation?

Certainly! In SJF, if shorter processes keep arriving, longer processes may never get executed, leading to starvation. This happens because the scheduler always picks the shortest job available.

Are there any scenarios where SJF is not recommended?

Yes, SJF is not recommended in environments where process execution times are unpredictable or in time-sharing systems where fairness is crucial.

What alternatives to SJF exist?

Alternatives to SJF include First-Come, First-Served (FCFS), Round Robin (RR), and Priority Scheduling, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

How does SJF compare to Round Robin scheduling?

SJF minimizes waiting time for shorter jobs, while Round Robin ensures fairness by giving each process a fixed time slice. SJF can lead to starvation, whereas Round Robin prevents it but may increase average waiting time.