Module 4~8 min
Linux Processes
Every running program on Linux is represented as a process, tracked and managed by the operating system.
What You'll Learn
- What a process is on Linux
- How to view running processes
- What a process ID (PID) is
What a Process Is
A process is a running instance of a program. The Linux kernel tracks every process, allocating it CPU time and memory as needed.
Viewing Processes
Commands like `ps` and `top` let you see which processes are currently running, along with details like their process ID (PID), a unique number identifying each one.
Example
Running `top` shows a live, updating list of processes and how much CPU and memory each one is using -- useful for spotting a program that's misbehaving.
Key Concepts
ProcessPIDtop
Key Takeaways
- A process is a running instance of a program
- Every process has a unique process ID (PID)
- Tools like `ps` and `top` let you view running processes
Knowledge Check
What does PID stand for?