Linux Beginner: Processes

Name: Linux Beginner: Processes
Author: Jeremy Kurtz

Learn to manage processes in Linux

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Course: On-Demand

In this lesson, we're going to talk about processes. A process is actually a program that's running in Linux. There are generally two types of processes. There are foreground processes and there are background process. So for example, if I type ls and hit Enter, that is a foreground process. It stops becoming a process when it's complete. The other type of process is a background process. And there are several, dozens of these processes running at all times. Now, I must say, probably in the virtual Linux environment, you're not gonna have as many background processes but there're certainly a few. One of the most often-asked questions is how do we know which ones are foreground and which ones are background? The fact is foreground processes interact with the user where background processes do not. Linux identifies each process and each process has a process ID. So if we ever have to look for a specific process, we can look for it. So let's take a look at the processes we have running. We're going to use a command called ps and what ps does is it will tell us the processes that are running. The numbers to the very left are the process ID numbers. Currently, I'm only running two processes. I have the Bash screen, which is my shell. And I just completed running ps so that means that command is also running. The only other thing we wanna know up front about processes are that if you run one process, that process might in turn start another. So in processes, we have two types, we have parent processes and we have child processes. So a parent will spawn another process and that will be the child process to the parent. The last question we wanna know the answer to is why do we care? The reason why we care about processes is that everything we do in the environment of Linux from the terminal is process oriented. So we wanna be very careful about how many things we run at once, if something is causing a problem. So if, for example, your machine seems exceptionally slow, you can type the ps command again and probably determine what process might be causing it. At that point, you can shut the process off. This is also something that exists inside the Microsoft Windows environment. That is called the Task Manager in Microsoft Windows. In our next lesson, we're gonna look at some of the commands that we can use to check or change our processes. See ya then.

Beginner Provider : Jeremy Kurtz 4 Lessons · 17m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

It’s important to understand processes in Linux because everything we do from the terminal is process oriented. A process is a program running in either the background or the foreground. There are two types of processes, parent and child, and many different commands that can be used to run them. If a process is interrupted, it generates a signal, which can indicate either a serious issue or something that doesn’t necessarily need to be addressed, so it’s imperative to recognize the difference. It’s also imperative to know how to properly shut down Linux, since it’s possible to damage the file system if it’s not shut down correctly. In these lessons, you’ll learn about the types of processes and process-related commands in Linux, as well as signals, how they work together, and how to manage them. You’ll also learn how to shut down the system.

What You'll Learn

Identify the types of processes in Linux, including parent and child processes
Run processes in the foreground and background using process-related commands
Recognize signals and interpret what they indicate when a process is interrupted
Distinguish between serious signal issues and those that do not require action
Shut down the Linux system properly to avoid damaging the file system

Key Takeaways

In Linux, everything done from the terminal is process oriented, since a process is a program running in either the background or the foreground.
There are two types of processes, parent and child, and many different commands can be used to run them.
When a process is interrupted it generates a signal, which can indicate either a serious issue or something that does not necessarily need to be addressed.
Shutting Linux down correctly is imperative because improper shutdown can damage the file system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It covers the types of processes and process-related commands in Linux, signals and how they work together and are managed, and how to shut down the system.

What lessons are included in this course?

The course includes four lessons: Processes and Their Types, Process-Related Commands, Signals, and Shutting Down the System.

What are the learning objectives?

By the end of the course you will know the types of processes, recognize the signals and what they indicate, and understand how to shut down the system.

What skills will I gain from this course?

You will build skills in the Init Process, Linux Commands, Linux Programs, Process Lifecycle, Process Sequencing, and Unit Processes.

Why is it important to understand Linux processes?

Because everything done from the terminal is process oriented, and it is important to recognize whether an interrupted process signals a serious issue and to shut down correctly to avoid damaging the file system.