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Understanding Background Processes in Computing

A background process is a computer process that operates without user intervention, typically handling tasks like logging and system monitoring. In Windows, these processes can be programs without a user interface or Windows services, while in Unix systems, they are identified by differing process group IDs from their terminal group IDs. Background processes are designed to run independently, freeing up resources for the control process that initiated them.

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2 views1 page

Understanding Background Processes in Computing

A background process is a computer process that operates without user intervention, typically handling tasks like logging and system monitoring. In Windows, these processes can be programs without a user interface or Windows services, while in Unix systems, they are identified by differing process group IDs from their terminal group IDs. Background processes are designed to run independently, freeing up resources for the control process that initiated them.

Uploaded by

jagarl potul
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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A 

background process is a computer process that runs behind the scenes (i.e., in the


background) and without user intervention.[1] Typical tasks for these processes include
logging, system monitoring, scheduling,[2] and user notification.[3] The background process
usually is a child process created by a control process for processing a computing task.
After creation, the child process will run on its own, performing the task independent of the
control process, freeing the control process of performing that task.[citation needed]
On a Windows system, a background process is either a computer program that does not
create a user interface, or a Windows service. The former are started just as any other
program is started, e.g., via Start menu. Windows services, on the other hand, are started
by Service Control Manager. In Windows Vista and later, they are run in a separate session.
There is no limit to how much a system service or background process can use system
resources. Indeed, in the Windows Server family of Microsoft operating systems,
background processes are expected to be the principal consumers of system resources.[citation
needed]

On a Unix or Unix-like system, a background process or job can be further identified as one


whose process group ID differs from its terminal group ID (TGID). (The TGID of a process is
the process ID of the process group leader that opened the terminal, which is typically the
login shell. The TGID identifies the control terminal of the process group.) This type of
process is unable to receive keyboard signals from its parent terminal, and typically will not
send output to that terminal.[4] This more technical definition does not distinguish between
whether or not the process can receive user intervention. Although background processes
are typically used for purposes needing few resources, any process can be run in the
background, and such a process will behave like any other process, with the exceptions
given above.[1]

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