System and processes
The ps command
Shows the processes running on the system.
Most useful options
auxEvery process, with user and resource usage-efEvery process in long format, with the parent process (PPID)-lLong format with the priority (NI column)Copy-ready examples
$ psYour processes in this terminal$ ps auxEverything running on the system$ ps -efAll of them with their parent$ ps -lWith the priority (NI)You can try them in the browser terminal: it does not touch your computer.
Typical mistakes
- Each process has a PID, its identity number to manage it with kill.
FAQ
How do I watch processes live?
With top or htop, which refresh by themselves.
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