Background processes (&) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the ampersand (&) symbol do when added at the end of a command in Linux?

It runs the command as a background process, allowing you to continue using the terminal without waiting for the command to finish.

beginner

How can you check the list of background jobs running in your current shell session?

Use the jobs command to see all background jobs with their job numbers and statuses.

beginner

What command brings a background job back to the foreground?

Use fg %job_number to bring a specific background job to the foreground.

beginner

Why would you want to run a process in the background?

To keep the terminal free for other commands while a long-running task continues without blocking your work.

intermediate

What happens if you close the terminal while a background process is running?

The background process usually stops unless it was started with tools like nohup or inside a terminal multiplexer like screen or tmux.

What does adding '&' at the end of a command do?

A Runs the command in the background

B Stops the command immediately

C Runs the command with higher priority

D Runs the command in a new terminal window

The '&' symbol runs the command as a background process, freeing the terminal for other commands.

Which command lists all background jobs in the current shell?

A jobs

B ps

C bg

D fg

The 'jobs' command shows all background jobs with their status.

How do you bring a background job with job number 2 to the foreground?

A jobs %2

B bg %2

C fg %2

D kill %2

The 'fg %2' command brings job number 2 to the foreground.

What happens to background processes if you close the terminal without precautions?

A They keep running forever

B They stop running

C They restart automatically

D They become foreground processes

Closing the terminal usually stops background processes unless special tools are used.

Which tool can keep a process running after terminal closes?

A jobs

B fg

C kill

D nohup

'nohup' allows a process to continue running after the terminal is closed.

Explain how to run a command in the background and how to check its status.

Think about how to free your terminal while a task runs.

Describe how to bring a background process back to the foreground and why you might want to do that.

Remember the command that resumes control of a background job.