In multitasking computer operating systems , a daemon ( \ / ˈdeɪmən \ / or \ / ˈdiːmən \ / ) is a computer program that runs as a background process , rather than being under the direct control of an interactive user .
In Unix , and in other computer multitasking operating systems , a daemon ( pronounced \ / ˈdiːmən \ / or \ / ˈdeɪmən \ / ) is a computer program that runs as a background task .