Computer multitasking
Multitasking means that a computer can run more than one item of software at the same time. It can also refer to a person who is working on more than one task at the same time (for instance, talking on the telephone while filing papers).
In Computing
Most computers with only one Central Processing Unit can only appear to run more than one program. Computer scientists solve the problem that a CPU can only do one thing at a time by programming it so that it switches rapidly between different programs. This happens so rapidly that it appears that the computer is running more than one program at once. This action is often controlled by the Operating System controlling the hardware on the system.
