back-end

programming Any software performing either the final stage

in a process, or a task not apparent to the user. A common

usage is in a compiler. A compiler's back-end generates

machine language and performs optimisations specific to the

machine's architecture.

The term can also be used in the context of network

applications. E.g. "The back-end of the system handles

socket protocols".

Contrast front end.

(1996-04-09)