What is a Windows Service?

Microsoft Windows Services, formerly known as NT services, enable you to create long-running executable applications that run in their own Windows sessions. These services can be automatically started when the computer boots, can be paused and restarted, and do not show any user interface. These features make services ideal for use on a server or whenever you need long-running functionality that does not interfere with other users who are working on the same computer.

The compiled executable file that a service application project creates must be installed on the server before the project can function in a meaningful way

Windows Service applications are based on a class that inherits from

System.ServiceProcess.ServiceBase class. You override methods from this class and define functionality for them to determine how your service behaves.

The main classes involved in service creation are:

·         System.ServiceProcess.ServiceBase — you override methods from the ServiceBase class when creating a service and define the code to determine how your service functions in this inherited class.

·         System.ServiceProcess.ServiceProcessInstaller and System.ServiceProcess.ServiceInstaller — you use these classes to install and uninstall your service.