Daemon (computer software) facts for kids

A daemon (pronounced "DEE-mun") is a special kind of computer program. Think of it like a helpful robot working quietly behind the scenes on your computer. It runs in the background without you needing to open it or see it. Daemons are very common in Unix and other operating systems that can do many things at once (this is called multitasking).

What is a Computer Daemon?

A computer daemon is a program that runs automatically without a user directly starting it. It's always ready to do its job when needed. These programs are like silent helpers that make sure your computer runs smoothly. They don't usually have a window or an icon you can click.

How Do Daemons Work?

Daemons are part of your computer's operating system. An operating system is the main software that manages all the computer's hardware and other programs. Because modern computers can do many things at once (multitasking), daemons can run in the background while you are using other programs, like a web browser or a game. They wait for specific events or requests to happen, then they perform their task.

Examples of Daemons You Might Know

Many daemons have names that end with the letter "d". This "d" stands for "daemon".

• httpd: This daemon handles requests for web pages. When you type a website address into your browser, an httpd daemon on the website's server helps send the page to you.
• syslogd: This daemon manages the system log. It records important messages and events that happen on the computer, which can help fix problems later.
• sshd: This daemon handles secure connections to a computer from another computer. It helps keep your information safe when you connect remotely.

Why Are They Called Daemons?

The name "daemon" comes from a thought experiment in physics called "Maxwell's demon". It describes an imaginary tiny creature that works tirelessly and automatically. Computer scientists liked this idea for programs that work constantly in the background. It's not related to the scary demons from stories!

Related Computer Terms

• Server (computing): A server is a powerful computer that provides services to other computers, often using many daemons to do its work. For example, a web server uses the httpd daemon to serve web pages.

See also

In Spanish: Daemon (informática) para niños