Task manager and system monitoring in Intro to Computing - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the main purpose of a task manager in a computer system?

A task manager helps you see and control all the programs and processes running on your computer. It lets you check which apps use the most resources and stop any that are not responding.

beginner

Name two common system resources that system monitoring tools track.

System monitoring tools often track CPU usage and memory (RAM) usage to help understand how much of the computer's power is being used.

intermediate

How does a system monitor help improve computer performance?

By showing which programs use the most resources, a system monitor helps you close or fix heavy apps, freeing up resources and making your computer run smoother.

beginner

What is a process in the context of task management?

A process is a program or task that is currently running on your computer. Each process uses some system resources like CPU and memory.

beginner

Why might you want to end a process using a task manager?

You might end a process if it is frozen, using too many resources, or causing problems, to help your computer work better.

Which of the following is NOT typically shown in a task manager?

A List of running processes

B CPU usage percentage

C Internet browsing history

D Memory usage

Task managers show running processes and resource usage, but they do not display your internet browsing history.

What action can you take in a task manager if a program is not responding?

A Restart the computer only

B Delete the program files

C Increase CPU speed

D End the process

You can end the process to stop a program that is not responding.

Which system resource is most directly related to how fast your computer can process tasks?

A CPU usage

B Hard drive space

C Screen resolution

D Network speed

CPU usage shows how much of the processor's power is being used, which affects task processing speed.

What does high memory usage in a system monitor usually indicate?

A Many programs are running and using RAM

B The computer is overheating

C The screen brightness is too high

D The keyboard is not working

High memory usage means many programs or processes are using the computer's RAM.

Which tool would you use to check which programs are slowing down your computer?

A Text editor

B Task manager

C Web browser

D File explorer

Task manager shows running programs and their resource use, helping identify slow programs.

Explain what a task manager does and why it is useful.

Think about how you can control programs on your computer.

Describe how system monitoring helps keep a computer running smoothly.

Consider what happens when your computer feels slow.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a task manager in a computer system?

easy

A. To create backups of files

B. To install new software applications

C. To update the operating system automatically

D. To view and control running programs and processes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a task manager does

   A task manager shows running programs and processes on your computer.

2. Step 2: Identify the main function

   It allows you to monitor and control these running tasks, like ending a frozen program.

3. Final Answer:

   To view and control running programs and processes -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Task manager = control running programs [OK]

Hint: Task manager = see and manage running programs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing task manager with software installer
• Thinking task manager creates backups
• Assuming task manager updates OS

2. Which command is used on Linux to display currently running processes in a terminal?

easy

A. install

B. top

C. copy

D. format

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Linux commands for process monitoring

   The top command shows active processes and system resource usage.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated commands

   install installs software, copy copies files, format prepares disks.

3. Final Answer:

   top -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Linux process list = top command [OK]

Hint: Use 'top' to see running processes on Linux [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'install' instead of 'top' to view processes
• Confusing 'copy' with process commands
• Trying 'format' which erases disks

3. What will be the output of the following command on Windows?
tasklist | findstr chrome.exe

medium

A. Lists the 'chrome.exe' processes if active

B. Starts the Chrome browser

C. Deletes the chrome.exe process

D. Shows network connections of Chrome

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the 'tasklist' command

   This command lists all running processes on Windows.

2. Step 2: Understand the pipe and 'findstr' usage

   The pipe sends output to 'findstr' which filters lines containing 'chrome.exe'.

3. Final Answer:

   Lists the 'chrome.exe' processes if active -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   tasklist + findstr = filtered process list [OK]

Hint: Pipe tasklist to findstr to filter processes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it launches or deletes Chrome
• Confusing process listing with network info
• Assuming it modifies processes

4. You run the command top -d on Linux but get an error. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. You need to run 'top' as root user always

B. The 'top' command does not support any options

C. The '-d' option requires a number to specify delay in seconds

D. The '-d' option is misspelled and should be '-D'

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the '-d' option usage in 'top'

   The '-d' option sets the delay between screen updates and requires a number argument.

2. Step 2: Identify the error cause

   If the number is missing or invalid, 'top' will show an error.

3. Final Answer:

   The '-d' option requires a number to specify delay in seconds -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   top -d needs number argument [OK]

Hint: Use '-d' with a number for delay in top command [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking 'top' has no options
• Believing root is always needed to run 'top'
• Using wrong option case '-D' instead of '-d'

5. You want to monitor CPU and memory usage on a Linux server and save the output every 10 seconds to a file named usage.log. Which command correctly does this?

hard

A. top -b -n 0 -d 10 > usage.log

B. top -d 10 > usage.log

C. top -b -d10 >> usage.log

D. top -d10 -b > usage.log

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand 'top' options for batch mode and delay

   The '-b' option runs 'top' in batch mode (non-interactive) suitable for logging. The '-n 0' option sets unlimited iterations for continuous output. The '-d 10' sets 10 seconds delay between updates.

2. Step 2: Check correct syntax for options and redirection

   Options must be separated by space: '-b -n 0 -d 10'. Using '>' overwrites the file, which is fine for fresh logs.

3. Final Answer:

   top -b -n 0 -d 10 > usage.log -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Batch mode + unlimited iterations + delay + redirect = top -b -n 0 -d 10 > usage.log [OK]

Hint: Use 'top -b -n 0 -d 10 > file' to log every 10 seconds [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting '-b' for batch mode causes interactive output
• Writing '-d10' without space can cause errors
• Using '>>' appends instead of overwriting unintentionally