The htop command is an interactive process viewer for Linux and Unix-like systems. It provides a dynamic, real-time overview of running processes, system resource usage (CPU, memory, swap), and allows for easy process management directly from the command line. Unlike the traditional top command, htop offers a more user-friendly interface with color-coded displays, mouse support, and intuitive keyboard shortcuts for sorting, filtering, and killing processes.

Understanding Htop Usage

htop is invaluable for system administrators and developers who need to quickly identify resource-intensive processes, troubleshoot performance issues, or manage running applications. Its visual representation of system activity makes it easier to grasp the current state of the system at a glance.

Key Htop Commands and Options

Here are some common ways to use the htop command:

# Start htop for a comprehensive view of running processes.
htop

# Display only processes owned by a specific user. Replace 'user_name' with the actual username.
htop -u user_name

# Set the refresh interval to 10 seconds. This controls how often htop updates the displayed information.
htop -d 10

Interactive Commands within Htop

Once htop is running, you can use various keys to interact with the process list:

• ?: Display help about interactive commands.
• I: Invert the sort order of the process list.
• s: Trace a process using strace (if available).

Htop for System Monitoring

Regularly using htop can help in maintaining system health by allowing for prompt identification and resolution of issues such as runaway processes or excessive resource consumption. Its ease of use and powerful features make it a staple tool in any command-line user's toolkit.

Further Resources

• Htop Man Page
• Linuxize Htop Tutorial