Daemon

See also: UNIX | Software | Internet

A daemon is a program that runs in the background, providing some kind of service. (In fact, in the Windows world, daemons are called “services”.)

This code processes activity that can occur on a server even when a user is not logged in.

Frequently daemons are used to provide network functions. For example, there are daemons that accept e-mail, telnet, FTP or HTTP connections from a remote system, as well as daemons for system logging and sending administrative alerts.

Quote:

“The word “daemon” means ghost in Greek, and there is certainly something mysterious, almost supernatural, about the way UNIX daemons silently wander about behind the scenes, carrying out their appointed tasks.” – [ http://db.ilug-bom.org.in/Documentation/abs-guide/communications.html#FTN.AEN7869 Source]

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