CPIM Practice Exam

Which scheduling method prioritizes jobs based on the order they are received?

1. Earliest due date (EDD)

2. First come, first served (FCFS)

3. Shortest process time (SPT)

4. Critical ratio (CR)

The correct answer is: First come, first served (FCFS)

The method that prioritizes jobs based on the order they are received is First Come, First Served (FCFS). This scheduling approach operates on a straightforward principle where the first job that enters the system is the first one to be completed. It is a non-preemptive scheduling technique, meaning once a job begins, it runs to completion without interruption from subsequent jobs. FCFS is often used in environments where fairness and simplicity are important. It creates a predictable order for job processing, making it easy to understand and implement. However, one downside is that it can lead to inefficiencies, particularly if longer jobs block shorter jobs behind them, leading to increased waiting times. Other scheduling methods, such as Earliest Due Date (EDD), Shortest Processing Time (SPT), and Critical Ratio (CR), utilize different criteria to prioritize jobs—whether it's based on due dates, processing times, or a combination of time remaining and slack. These methods aim to minimize tardiness or maximize throughput, but they don't operate strictly on the receipt order of tasks like FCFS does.