What is a service and how do services work?
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There are two distinct ways that software packages can run:
1.
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Packages can run as graphical front ends such as the windows that you are use to manipulating. For example, the text that you are reading now is contained within a visible window.
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2.
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Packages can also run as invisible seemless processes. These processes have no visible windows or graphics.
Such software is often referred to as either a "background process" or a "service". The term service is used as they usually provide some form of on-going service.
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A service can run continually. A service can be set to start each time your system boots. A service can continue running after you have logged off your machine. A service can continue to run after the next user logon. Services can continue to run until the system is powered down.
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