Background processing refers to computer tasks that run autonomously while a user performs foreground actions. It is an integral part of how computers work and can be classified as a daemon or computationally intensive task. Users may not be aware of these processes, but they are important for common functions such as email transfer and web page serving.
Background processing can best be defined by its action. It simply performs background tasks of a computer while a computer user performs foreground actions of the computer. For example, in background computing, a computer user may actively manipulate an application using a keyboard and a computer screen while separate operations are performed simultaneously and in the background. In many cases, background processes run completely autonomously and the user is not even aware that the processes are running.
Processing data in the background of any computer is an integral part of how a computer works. Wallpapers can be high priority, same priority, or low priority with respect to the application a user is working with on the screen. As long as the background processing is done within an acceptable amount of time and doesn’t interfere with user activities or the general functioning of the computer, it can be considered successful.
A popular example of background processing involves the common printer. When a computer user works on a word processor to write a document, saves it, and commands the computer to print it, the command is transferred to the printer via the computer’s background processes. This activity takes place regardless of what is happening on the computer user’s screen. In fact, a computer user may continue to make changes to the document, open and type a new document, or work in an entirely new application while the computer is busy processing in the background.
The lack of interaction between the computer user and background processes should not be misunderstood to mean that the processes are unimportant. There are some background processes that are just as important as those applications you interact with in the foreground. Some computers have the ability to prioritize tasks and regulate the amount of energy devoted to each one. Typically, however, a background process is relatively low priority and has minimal output.
Background processes can generally be classified as a daemon or a computationally intensive task. The average computer user will be more familiar with the work of daemons, as they help take care of common functions such as e-mail transfer, web page serving, and time synchronization. Their interactions are not with users, but with programs or other computers on the network. They use very little memory and don’t affect CPU usage much, so computer users can work on a machine for years without realizing that these processes exist and are actually running while they are concentrating on a foreground computer task .
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