What Is Foreground and Background Process in Unix?
Contents

Processes that require a user to start them or to interact with them are called foreground processes. Processes that are run independently of a user are referred to as background processes. Programs and commands run as foreground processes by default.

What is foreground in Unix?

A foreground process is one that occupies your shell (terminal window), meaning that any new commands that are typed have no effect until the previous command is finished. This is as we might expect, but can be confusing when we run long lasting programs, such as the afni or suma GUI (graphical user interface).

How do you process a foreground in Unix?

Run a Unix process in the background

  1. To run the count program, which will display the process identification number of the job, enter: count &
  2. To check the status of your job, enter: jobs.
  3. To bring a background process to the foreground, enter: fg.
  4. If you have more than one job suspended in the background, enter: fg %#
Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.

Share this article
Twitter Facebook Pinterest