foreground/background system

In computing, a foreground/background system is a method of multitasking where a computer runs multiple programs simultaneously. The operating system manages these programs, loading them for processing and overseeing their completion.1

This system prioritizes tasks. The computer executes instructions for a foreground program, which is the one actively responding to user input, and then switches to a background program during the idle times of the foreground task. This is often achieved by utilizing the speed difference between the computer's processor and slower input/output devices, allowing the processor to work on calculations for one program while waiting for input for another. The processor rapidly switches attention between different programs, making efficient use of the computer's resources.12