Utility
As a topic of economics, utility is used to model worth or value. Its usage has evolved significantly over time. The term was introduced initially as a measure of pleasure or happiness as part of the theory of utilitarianism by moral philosoph ...
is a measure of the happiness or satisfaction gained from a good or service in economics and game theory.
Utility or Utilities may also refer to:
In computers
* Utility, a software program for a limited narrow specific task: see
Utility software
Utility software is software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer. It is used to support the computer infrastructure - in contrast to application software, which is aimed at directly performing tasks that benefit or ...
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Software tool
A programming tool or software development tool is a computer program that software developers use to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise support other programs and applications. The term usually refers to relatively simple programs, that can ...
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utility (C++)
is a header file in the C++ Standard Library. This file has two key components:
*, a namespace
In computing, a namespace is a set of signs (''names'') that are used to identify and refer to objects of various kinds. A namespace ensures that ...
, a header file in the C++ Standard Library
In economics
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Cardinal utility
In economics, a cardinal utility function or scale is a utility index that preserves preference orderings uniquely up to positive affine transformations. Two utility indices are related by an affine transformation if for the value u(x_i) of one i ...
, a utility index that preserves preference orderings
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Marginal utility, the change in the utility from an increase in the consumption of a good or service
In philosophy
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Utilitarianism
In ethical philosophy, utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well-being for all affected individuals.
Although different varieties of utilitarianism admit different chara ...
, philosophical theories that deal with utility
Other uses
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Public utility
A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and r ...
, an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service, or the services themselves
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''Utilities'' (film), a 1981 movie starring Robert Hays
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Utility (patentability requirement)
In United States patent law, utility is a patentability requirement. As provided by , an invention is "useful" if it provides some identifiable benefit and is capable of use and "useless" otherwise. The majority of inventions are usually not chal ...
, one of the requirements for patentability in Canadian and United States patent laws
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Utility (car)
A pickup truck or pickup is a light-duty truck that has an enclosed cabin, and a back end made up of a cargo bed that is enclosed by three low walls with no roof (this cargo bed back end sometimes consists of a tailgate and removable covering). ...
, a term used in Australia and New Zealand to refer to a pickup truck or coupe utility vehicle ("ute")
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Utility player, a term used in sports for a player who can play several positions competently.
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Utility furniture
Utility furniture was furniture produced in the United Kingdom during and directly after World War II. The furniture was produced under a government scheme which was designed to cope with raw material shortages and Rationing in the United Kingdom, ...
, produced in the United Kingdom during and just after World War II, under a Government scheme designed to cope with shortages of raw materials and rationing
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Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform
The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel (mostly corpsmen, Seabees, chaplains, and their bodyguards) assigned to Marine Corps un ...
, often abbreviated to "Utilities", the battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps
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Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, an American semi-trailer and refrigerated and dry trailer manufacturer, often shortened to Utility
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Utility Manufacturing Company, a defunct clock and camera manufacturer
See also
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{{disambiguation