Overview
Processes are running instances of programs that the OS manages.
Why It Matters
Process management is essential for system administration and troubleshooting.
Essential Commands
ps auxList all running processes
topShow real-time process usage
htopInteractive process viewer
kill -15 <pid>Send graceful terminate signal
kill -9 <pid>Force kill unresponsive process
pkill -f "node"Kill processes by matching command pattern
Quick Start
Begin by learning list and monitor processes with ps and top
Key Concepts
List and monitor processes with ps and top
Send signals to processes with kill
Understand process states and priorities
Pro Tips
- Combine multiple commands for powerful workflows
- Use aliases to speed up your command entry
- Create scripts to automate repetitive tasks
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- • Forgetting to check the documentation for edge cases
- • Running commands without understanding their full impact
- • Not testing changes in a safe environment first