How is a process defined as running in background? Would it be if it has no visible windows. Thanks.
1 Answer
How is a process defined as running in background?
A background process is a computer process that runs behind the scenes (i.e., in the background) and without user intervention. Typical tasks for these processes include logging, system monitoring, scheduling, and user notification. The background process usually is a child process created by a control process for processing computing task. After the creation, the child process will run on its own course for performing the task independent of the control process, therefore, the control process is free of performing other designated task.
On a Windows system, this term may be used to either refer to 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 on 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.
Background process - Wikipedia
Would it be if it has no visible windows.
Not necessarily. A background process may open a window when it has some information it needs to communicate to the user, for example an error message or something else that requires the user's attention.
3
