We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Background Processing?

By S. Gonzales
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 9,029
Share

Background processing can be best defined by its action. It simply performs tasks in the background of a computer while a computer user performs actions in the foreground of the computer. For example, in background processing, a computer user can actively manipulate one application using a keyboard and a computer screen while separate operations are performed at the same time and in the background. In many cases, background processes work completely autonomously and the user isn't even aware that the processes are being performed.

Processing data in the background of any computer is an integral part of the functioning of a computer. Backgrounds can be high-priority, same-level priority or low-level priority compared to the application that a user is working with on-screen. As long as background processing is achieved within an acceptable time frame and doesn't interfere with the activities of the user or the overall functioning of the computer, it can be considered to be successful.

One popular example of background processing involves the common printer. When a computer user works on a word processor to type up a document, saves it and commands the computer to print it, the command is transferred over to the printer by way of the computer's background processes. This activity takes place independent of whatever is happening on the computer user's screen. In fact, a computer user can continue to make modifications to the document, open and type a new document or work in an entirely new application altogether while the computer is engaged in background processing.

The lack of interaction between computer user and background processes should not be misunderstood to mean that the processes are unimportant. There are certain background processes that are just as important as those applications that are being interacted with in the foreground. Some computers have the ability to prioritize tasks and regulate how much energy is devoted to each. Generally, though, a background process is relatively low priority and has minimal output.

Background processes can be usually categorized as being either a daemon or a compute-intensive task. The average computer user will be more familiar with the work of daemons, as they help take care of common functions like email transferring, web page serving and time synchronization. Their interactions are not with users, but with programs or other computers on a network. They use very little memory and don't put a large dent in CPU usage, so computer users may work on a machine for years without realizing that these processes exist and are actually taking place while they are concentrating on a task in the computer's foreground.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-background-processing.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.