RHEL Linux - Red Hat System Administration Practice Exam

What command is commonly used to check current running processes in Linux?

1. ps

2. top

3. htop

4. jobs

The correct answer is: ps

The command that is widely used in Linux to check current running processes is often recognized as a fundamental tool for system administrators and users alike. The "ps" command, short for "process status," displays information about the active processes at the time it is executed. When run without any options, it shows processes running in the current shell session, but it can be customized with various flags to provide more detailed information about system-wide running processes. While other commands can also display processes, each serves a different purpose or provides functionality beyond simply listing active processes. The "top" command gives a dynamic, real-time view of processes and their resource usage but requires continuous monitoring and interaction to exit. "htop" is a more user-friendly version of "top" with additional features but may not be available by default on all systems. The "jobs" command, on the other hand, is specific to the current shell and shows the status of jobs started in the shell session, which is more limited in scope compared to "ps." Understanding the various utilities available for monitoring processes is crucial for effective system management, and the "ps" command is foundational in this domain, making it a primary choice for quick checks on process status.