In the context of concurrent processes, which process is referred to as the parent process?

In concurrent processes, the term "parent process" specifically refers to the process that creates another process. This relationship establishes a hierarchy where the parent process is responsible for initiating the child process. The parent process typically utilizes system calls such as fork() in Unix-like operating systems to spawn a new process. This new process, known as the child process, inherits certain resources and attributes from its parent, although it executes independently.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in managing process control, resource allocation, and synchronization in operating systems. The parent process often has the ability to regulate or monitor the execution of its child processes, effectively playing a significant role in the overall process management within an operating system. Thus, identifying the parent process as the one that creates another process is fundamental in grasping how processes interact in concurrent scenarios.