What does the ps command do in UNIX?
a) Shows the list of currently running processes
b) Prints system information
c) Stops a running process
d) Powers off the system
Answer:
a) Shows the list of currently running processes
Explanation:
The ps command in UNIX is used to display information about the currently running processes. It shows details like process ID (PID), terminal associated with the process, and the CPU time used. This is helpful for monitoring system activity.
With options like ps -aux, users can get more detailed information, including processes run by all users and those not associated with a terminal. The output can help administrators identify resource-heavy processes or troubleshoot performance issues.
Learning the ps command is essential for managing and understanding the behavior of running applications. It’s a fundamental tool for system administrators to analyze system load and detect any misbehaving processes.