parent process

parent process

   <operating system> The {Unix} {process} that created one or
   more other processes.

   Every process except process 0 is created when another process
   executes the {fork} {system call}.  The process that invoked
   fork is the parent process, and the newly created process is
   the {child process}.  Every process has one parent process,
   but can have many child processes.

   The {kernel} identifies each process by its {process
   identifier} (PID).  Process 0 is a special process that is
   created when the system boots; after forking a child process
   (process 1), process 0 becomes the {swapper} process.  Process
   1, known as {init}, is the ancestor of every other process in
   the system and enjoys a special relationship with them.

   (1997-12-03)