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Terminate-and-stay-resident program
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<p>A terminate-and-stay-resident program (commonly TSR) is a <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">computer program</a> running under <a href="/facts/DOS/sWwDXNmX">DOS</a> that uses a <a href="/facts/System_call/NW44AFJr">system call</a> to return control to DOS as though it has finished, but remains in <a href="/facts/Computer_memory/hQKVQ51J">computer memory</a> so it can be reactivated later. This technique partially overcame DOS's limitation of executing only one program, or <a href="/facts/Task_(computing)/ghdT0IkM">task</a>, at a time. TSRs are used only in DOS, not in <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Windows</a>. </p><p>Some TSRs are <a href="/facts/Utility_software/Hn3XtISQ">utility software</a> that a computer user might call up several times a day, while working in another program, by using a <a href="/facts/Keyboard_shortcut/mjeb82kI">hotkey</a>. <a href="/facts/Borland_Sidekick/3nsakole">Borland Sidekick</a> was an early and popular example of this type. Others serve as <a href="/facts/Device_driver/rDYnHU1G">device drivers</a> for <a href="/facts/Computer_hardware/8jSjsCNv">hardware</a> that the operating system does not directly support. </p>