In the context of processes or tasks that are part of an operating system or program, operating without interaction with the user while the user is working on another task. Background processes or tasks are assigned a lower priority in the microprocessor’s allotment of time than foreground tasks and generally remain invisible to the user unless the user requests an update or brings the task to the foreground. Generally, only multitasking operating systems are able to support background processing. However, some operating systems that do not support multitasking may be able to perform one or more types of background tasks. For example, in the Apple Macintosh operating system running with multitasking turned off, the Background Printing option can be used to print documents while the user is doing other work. See also multitasking. Compare foreground1.

Množina: backgrounds

1. The color against which characters and graphics are displayed, such as a white background for black characters. Compare foreground2 (definition 1).
2. The colors, textures, patterns, and pictures that comprise the surface of the desktop, upon which icons, buttons, menu bars, and toolbars are situated. See also wallpaper.
3. The colors, textures, patterns, and pictures that comprise the surface of a Web page, upon which text, icons, graphics, buttons, and other items are situated. See also wallpaper.
4. The condition of an open but currently inactive window in a windowing environment. See also inactive window. Compare foreground2 (definition 2).

Množina: backgrounds

1. The part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground; SYN. ground.
2. Relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation.
3. A person's social heritage: previous experience or training.
4. Information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem; SYN. background knowledge.
5. Extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured; SYN. background signal.
6. (Computer science) The area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear; SYN. desktop, screen background.

Množina: background checks

Množina: background colors

Množina: background investigations

Množina: background noises

The noise inherent in a line or circuit, independent of the presence of a signal. See also noise. Extraneous noise contaminating sound measurements that cannot be separated from the desired signal; SYN. ground noise.
The total noise floor from all sources of interference in a measurement system, independent of the presence of a data signal.

Množina: background operations

Množina: background processings

The execution of certain operations by the operating system or a program during momentary lulls in the primary (foreground) task. An example of a background process is a word processor program printing a document during the time that occurs between the user’s keystrokes. See also background1.
The execution of low priority programs while higher priority programs are not using the processing system; SYN. backgrounding.

Množina: background tasks

See background1.