Linux List Processes by Name

In this article, we will explore the concept of processes in a Linux operating system. A process is an instance of a program that runs in its own memory space and has its own processor environment. In this article, we will discuss how to list processes by name using various commands.

What are System Daemons?

System daemons are special types of processes that run in the background and are responsible for performing specific system-related tasks. They are usually identified by the letter 'd' associated with the process name. These daemons are loaded at boot time, reside in memory, and wait for a call to perform their tasks.

Listing Processes

To list all processes running on your Linux system, you can use the `ps` command followed by various options. For example, the following command lists all processes:

```bash

ps -e -format '%P %p %c %n' -sort ppid -headers

```

This command will display a list of processes along with their parent process ID (PPID), process ID (PID), and command name.

Understanding Process IDs

A process ID (PID) is a unique identifier assigned to each process when it starts. The PID number represents the process at the time of execution, and each child process inherits its parent's PID. A PPID is the identifier of the parent process that created the child process.

Parent-Child Relationship

In Linux, there is a parent-child relationship between processes. A parent process can have multiple child processes, and each child process has a unique PID assigned to it by the system. The parent process can communicate with its child processes using their PIDs.

In this article, we have discussed the concept of processes in Linux and how to list them by name using various commands. We also explored the importance of understanding process IDs and the parent-child relationship between processes. With a deeper understanding of these concepts, you will be better equipped to manage and troubleshoot your Linux system.

Linux list processes by name