Multi-user software

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Multi-user software lets several people use the same computer at the same time. Time-sharing and batch processing on mainframes are classic examples, often described as multi-user systems or, in practice, as multitasking.

Examples include Unix and Unix-like systems where many remote users can log in and work at once, and setups that run multiple X Window sessions on one machine using thin clients. Other systems with multi-user capabilities include Multics, VM/CMS, OpenVMS, MP/M, Concurrent CP/M, Concurrent DOS, and many others. Modern Windows versions (from Windows NT) support multiple simultaneous users (for example, via Remote Desktop) and can let a user disconnect locally while the system keeps their processes running for others. An operating system provides isolation so each user’s programs don’t interfere with others while still running concurrently. Management systems are designed for multiple users, typically admins and end users. The term single-user refers to software or systems meant for one person at a time or to a single-user license. Some multi-user systems, like Unix, also have a single-user maintenance mode.