Intro To 'top' Command In Linux

2023-05-01 - By Robert Elder

I use the 'top' command to check what programs are running on my system:

The 'top' program could be compared with the 'task manager' program from Windows:

As you can see from the screenshot above, both the windows task manager and the 'top' command shows you important information like the amount of memory available and a list of processes that are consuming the most resources.

By default, the list is sorted according to highest CPU usage first. You can also sort by percentage of memory used by pressing the shift key and the letter 'm':

You can press the 'h' key to see more information about how to use the 'top' command:

Help for Interactive Commands - procps-ng UNKNOWN
Window 1:Def: Cumulative mode Off.  System: Delay 3.0 secs; Secure mode Off.

  Z,B,E,e   Global: 'Z' colors; 'B' bold; 'E'/'e' summary/task memory scale
  l,t,m     Toggle Summary: 'l' load avg; 't' task/cpu stats; 'm' memory info
  0,1,2,3,I Toggle: '0' zeros; '1/2/3' cpus or numa node views; 'I' Irix mode
  f,F,X     Fields: 'f'/'F' add/remove/order/sort; 'X' increase fixed-width

  L,&,<,> . Locate: 'L'/'&' find/again; Move sort column: '<'/'>' left/right
  R,H,J,C . Toggle: 'R' Sort; 'H' Threads; 'J' Num justify; 'C' Coordinates
  c,i,S,j . Toggle: 'c' Cmd name/line; 'i' Idle; 'S' Time; 'j' Str justify
  x,y     . Toggle highlights: 'x' sort field; 'y' running tasks
  z,b     . Toggle: 'z' color/mono; 'b' bold/reverse (only if 'x' or 'y')
  u,U,o,O . Filter by: 'u'/'U' effective/any user; 'o'/'O' other criteria
  n,#,^O  . Set: 'n'/'#' max tasks displayed; Show: Ctrl+'O' other filter(s)
  V,v     . Toggle: 'V' forest view; 'v' hide/show forest view children

  k,r       Manipulate tasks: 'k' kill; 'r' renice
  d or s    Set update interval
  W,Y       Write configuration file 'W'; Inspect other output 'Y'
  q         Quit
          ( commands shown with '.' require a visible task display window )
Press 'h' or '?' for help with Windows,
Type 'q' or <Esc> to continue

To exit from the 'top' command and get back to the prompt, you can press the 'q' key.

And that's why the 'top' command is my favorite Linux command.

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