How does a system call work in Linux?

A system call is implemented by a “software interrupt” that transfers control to kernel code; in Linux/i386 this is “interrupt 0x80”. … After the switch to kernel mode, the processor must save all of its registers and dispatch execution to the proper kernel function, after checking whether EAX is out of range.

How is a system call performed?

System calls are usually made when a process in user mode requires access to a resource. … Then the system call is executed on a priority basis in the kernel mode. After the execution of the system call, the control returns to the user mode and execution of user processes can be resumed.