Processes

Learn about the running processes on the system.

0 of 11 lessons complete

Practice in terminal (Ubuntu sandbox) ↗

Syllabus

  1. 01 ps (Processes) Learn how to take process snapshots with `ps` and monitor changing activity with `top`.
  2. 02 Controlling Terminal Learn how controlling terminals connect sessions to interactive input, signals, and shell job control.
  3. 03 Process Details Learn what state and resources distinguish a running process from a program stored on disk.
  4. 04 Process Creation Learn how fork, exec, PIDs, and parent relationships participate in Linux process creation.
  5. 05 Process Termination Learn how exit status, waiting, zombies, and reparenting complete the Linux process lifecycle.
  6. 06 Signals Learn how Linux generates, blocks, delivers, and handles signals for process control and event notification.
  7. 07 kill (Terminate) Learn how to identify a process and send an appropriate signal with `kill` using a safe escalation sequence.
  8. 08 Niceness Learn how nice values influence CPU scheduling weight for ordinary Linux processes.
  9. 09 Process States Learn how to interpret common Linux process-state codes in `ps` snapshots.
  10. 10 /proc Filesystem Learn how Linux exposes live process and kernel information through the virtual `/proc` filesystem.
  11. 11 Job Control Learn how an interactive shell manages foreground, background, and stopped jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What process-management tools will I learn?

You will use concepts and tools including ps, kill, signals, job control, foreground and background jobs, niceness, terminals, and /proc.

What is the difference between a process and a job?

A process is a running program tracked by the kernel, while a shell job is the shell’s way of grouping and controlling commands in a session.

Is this course useful for troubleshooting?

Yes. Understanding process states, signals, priorities, and termination helps you investigate slow, stuck, or misbehaving programs safely.