ps (list processes) in Linux CLI - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Listing and Filtering Processes with ps

📖 Scenario: You are managing a Linux system and want to see which programs are running. You will use the ps command to list processes and filter them.

🎯 Goal: Learn to use the ps command to list all running processes, filter by user, and display specific columns.

📋 What You'll Learn

Use the ps command to list processes

Filter processes by user

Display specific columns like PID and command

Use command options correctly

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

System administrators often need to check running processes to monitor system health or troubleshoot issues.

💼 Career

Knowing how to list and filter processes is a basic skill for Linux system administrators and developers working on servers.

1

List your current processes

Type the command ps to list the processes running in your current shell session.

Linux CLI

# Type the command 'ps' to list current shell processes
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The ps command without options shows processes in your current shell.

2

List all processes for your user

Type the command ps -u $USER to list all processes owned by your user account.

Linux CLI

ps
# Now list all processes for your user with 'ps -u $USER'
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The -u option followed by your username shows all your user processes.

3

Show only PID and command columns

Use ps -u $USER -o pid,comm to list your user processes showing only the PID and command name columns.

Linux CLI

ps
ps -u $USER
# Add the option '-o pid,comm' to show only PID and command
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The -o option lets you choose which columns to display.

4

Print the final command output

Run the command ps -u $USER -o pid,comm and print its output to see your user processes with PID and command columns.

Linux CLI

ps
ps -u $USER
ps -u $USER -o pid,comm
# Run the last command to display output
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The output should show a header with 'PID' and 'COMMAND' and list your processes.