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{{Short description|Type of computer software}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{redirect|Single user|a product designed for cheapness and short-term convenience rather than medium to long-term durability|Single use}}
{{redirect|Single user|a product designed for cheapness and short-term convenience rather than medium to long-term durability|Single use}}
{{unreferenced|date=November 2011}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
'''Multi-user''' [[software]] is software that allows access by multiple [[User (computing)|user]]s of a [[computer]]. [[Time-sharing]] systems are multi-user systems. Most [[batch processing]] systems for [[mainframe computer]]s may also be considered "multi-user", to avoid leaving the [[central processing unit|CPU]] idle while it waits for [[input/output|I/O]] operations to complete. However, the term "[[Computer multitasking|multitasking]]" is more common in this context.
'''Multi-user software''' is [[software|computer software]] that allows access by multiple [[User (computing)|user]]s of a [[computer]].<ref>{{Cite conference |last1=Red |first1=Edward |last2=Jensen |first2=Gregory |last3=French |first3=David |last4=Weerakoon |first4=Prasad |date=10 October 2011 |title=Multi-User Architectures for Computer-Aided Engineering Collaboration |conference=2011 17th International Conference on Concurrent Enterprising, ICE 2011|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252050570 |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=ResearchGate}}</ref> [[Time-sharing]] systems are multi-user systems. Most [[batch processing]] systems for [[mainframe computer]]s may also be considered "multi-user", to avoid leaving the [[central processing unit|CPU]] idle while it waits for [[input/output|I/O]] operations to complete. However, the term "[[computer multitasking|multitasking]]" is more common in this context.
[[File:Interactive Multiuser Multitouch.jpg|thumb|right|Interactive Multiuser Multitouch]]


An example is a '''[[Unix]]''' server where multiple remote users have access (such as via a [[Serial port|serial port]] or [[Secure Shell]]) to the [[Unix shell]] prompt at the same time. Another example uses multiple [[X Window System|X Window]] sessions spread across multiple terminals powered by a single machine - this is an example of the use of [[thin client]]. Similar functions were also available under [[MP/M]], [[Concurrent DOS]], [[Multiuser DOS]] and [[FlexOS]].
An example is a [[Unix]] or [[Unix-like]] system where multiple remote users have access (such as via a [[serial port]] or [[Secure Shell]]) to the [[Unix shell]] prompt at the same time. Another example uses multiple [[X Window System|X Window]] sessions spread across multiple terminals powered by a single machine this is an example of the use of [[thin client]]. Similar functions were also available in a variety of non-Unix-like operating systems, such as [[Multics]], [[VM/CMS]], [[OpenVMS]], [[MP/M]], [[Concurrent CP/M]], [[Concurrent DOS]], [[FlexOS]], [[Multiuser DOS]], [[REAL/32]], [[OASIS (operating system)|OASIS]], [[THEOS]], [[PC-MOS]], [[TSX-32]] and [[VM/386]].


Some multi-user operating systems such as [[Windows]] versions from the [[Windows NT]] family support simultaneous access by multiple users (for example, via [[Remote Desktop Connection]]) as well as the ability for a user to disconnect from a local session while leaving processes running (doing work on their behalf) while another user logs into and uses the system. The operating system provides isolation of each user's processes from other users, while enabling them to execute concurrently{{dubious|date=July 2014}}.
Some multi-user operating systems such as [[Windows]] versions from the [[Windows NT]] family support simultaneous access by multiple users (for example, via [[Remote Desktop Connection]]) as well as the ability for a user to disconnect from a local session while leaving processes running (doing work on their behalf) while another user logs into and uses the system. The operating system provides isolation of each user's processes from other users, while enabling them to execute concurrently{{dubious|date=July 2014}}.


[[Management systems]] are implicitly designed to be used by multiple users, typically one [[system administrator]] or more and an [[End-user (computer science)|end-user]] community.
[[Management systems]] are implicitly designed to be used by multiple users, typically one [[system administrator]] or more and an [[end-user (computer science)|end-user]] community.


The complementary term, '''single-user''', is most commonly used when talking about an operating system being usable only by one person at a time, or in reference to a single-user [[software license agreement]]. Multi-user operating systems such as Unix sometimes have a [[single user mode]] or [[runlevel]] available for emergency maintenance.
The complementary term, '''single-user''', is most commonly used when talking about an operating system being usable only by one person at a time, or in reference to a single-user [[software license agreement]]. Multi-user operating systems such as Unix sometimes have a [[single user mode]] or [[runlevel]] available for emergency maintenance. Examples of single-user operating systems include [[MS-DOS]], [[OS/2]] and [[Classic Mac OS]].


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[AT Multiuser System]]
*[[Multiseat configuration|Multiseat]]
* [[Multiseat configuration|Multiseat]]
* [[Multiuser DOS Federation]] (MDOS)

==References==
<references />


== External links ==
== External links ==
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[[Category:Operating system technology]]
[[Category:Operating system technology]]

{{software-type-stub}}

Latest revision as of 23:09, 29 September 2023

Multi-user software is computer software that allows access by multiple users of a computer.[1] Time-sharing systems are multi-user systems. Most batch processing systems for mainframe computers may also be considered "multi-user", to avoid leaving the CPU idle while it waits for I/O operations to complete. However, the term "multitasking" is more common in this context.

Interactive Multiuser Multitouch

An example is a Unix or Unix-like system where multiple remote users have access (such as via a serial port or Secure Shell) to the Unix shell prompt at the same time. Another example uses multiple X Window sessions spread across multiple terminals powered by a single machine – this is an example of the use of thin client. Similar functions were also available in a variety of non-Unix-like operating systems, such as Multics, VM/CMS, OpenVMS, MP/M, Concurrent CP/M, Concurrent DOS, FlexOS, Multiuser DOS, REAL/32, OASIS, THEOS, PC-MOS, TSX-32 and VM/386.

Some multi-user operating systems such as Windows versions from the Windows NT family support simultaneous access by multiple users (for example, via Remote Desktop Connection) as well as the ability for a user to disconnect from a local session while leaving processes running (doing work on their behalf) while another user logs into and uses the system. The operating system provides isolation of each user's processes from other users, while enabling them to execute concurrently[dubiousdiscuss].

Management systems are implicitly designed to be used by multiple users, typically one system administrator or more and an end-user community.

The complementary term, single-user, is most commonly used when talking about an operating system being usable only by one person at a time, or in reference to a single-user software license agreement. Multi-user operating systems such as Unix sometimes have a single user mode or runlevel available for emergency maintenance. Examples of single-user operating systems include MS-DOS, OS/2 and Classic Mac OS.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Red, Edward; Jensen, Gregory; French, David; Weerakoon, Prasad (10 October 2011). Multi-User Architectures for Computer-Aided Engineering Collaboration. 2011 17th International Conference on Concurrent Enterprising, ICE 2011. ResearchGate. Retrieved 6 October 2022.

External links[edit]