1TOP(1) User Commands TOP(1)
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6 top - display Linux processes
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10 top -hv|-bcEeHiOSs1 -d secs -n max -u|U user -p pids -o field -w [cols]
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12 The traditional switches `-' and whitespace are optional.
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16 The top program provides a dynamic real-time view of a running system.
17 It can display system summary information as well as a list of
18 processes or threads currently being managed by the Linux kernel. The
19 types of system summary information shown and the types, order and size
20 of information displayed for processes are all user configurable and
21 that configuration can be made persistent across restarts.
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23 The program provides a limited interactive interface for process
24 manipulation as well as a much more extensive interface for personal
25 configuration -- encompassing every aspect of its operation. And
26 while top is referred to throughout this document, you are free to name
27 the program anything you wish. That new name, possibly an alias, will
28 then be reflected on top's display and used when reading and writing a
29 configuration file.
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33 Documentation
34 The remaining Table of Contents
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36 OVERVIEW
37 Operation
38 Linux Memory Types
39 1. COMMAND-LINE Options
40 2. SUMMARY Display
41 a. UPTIME and LOAD Averages
42 b. TASK and CPU States
43 c. MEMORY Usage
44 3. FIELDS / Columns Display
45 a. DESCRIPTIONS of Fields
46 b. MANAGING Fields
47 4. INTERACTIVE Commands
48 a. GLOBAL Commands
49 b. SUMMARY AREA Commands
50 c. TASK AREA Commands
51 1. Appearance
52 2. Content
53 3. Size
54 4. Sorting
55 d. COLOR Mapping
56 5. ALTERNATE-DISPLAY Provisions
57 a. WINDOWS Overview
58 b. COMMANDS for Windows
59 c. SCROLLING a Window
60 d. SEARCHING in a Window
61 e. FILTERING in a Window
62 6. FILES
63 a. PERSONAL Configuration File
64 b. ADDING INSPECT Entries
65 c. SYSTEM Configuration File
66 d. SYSTEM Restrictions File
67 7. STUPID TRICKS Sampler
68 a. Kernel Magic
69 b. Bouncing Windows
70 c. The Big Bird Window
71 d. The Ol' Switcheroo
72 8. BUGS, 9. SEE Also
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75 Operation
76 When operating top, the two most important keys are the help (h or ?)
77 key and quit (`q') key. Alternatively,