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Asked: 2024-09-25T12:53:11+05:30 In:

What is the meaning of the aux option when using the ps command in Ubuntu?

So, I’ve been diving into some Linux commands lately, and I keep running into the `ps` command while trying to figure out what’s happening with my system processes. You know how it is—sometimes you just want to see what’s going on, and `ps` seems like the go-to command for that. But here’s the thing: I keep seeing people throwing around this “aux” option, and honestly, I’m a bit confused about what it actually does.

I mean, when I run `ps aux`, it spits out a bunch of information, but I can’t quite wrap my head around the whole “aux” part. Is it like some secret code or something? Does it stand for anything specific? I’ve read that it shows all processes running on the system, but what’s the deal with the “a,” “u,” and “x” specifically? Are they just random letters, or do they actually stand for something meaningful that could help me understand the output a bit better?

And then there’s the whole formatting thing. When I run `ps aux`, the output has a bunch of columns, like USER, PID, %CPU, %MEM, and COMMAND. It’s kind of overwhelming. I get that each column represents something, but how does the “aux” change what I’m seeing?

Plus, I’ve heard that using different options can change the way you see things. Like, what happens if I just run `ps -e` or `ps -ef` instead? Do the “aux” options give me more information, or is it just a more user-friendly way to view it?

If anyone out there could break it down for me in plain English, that would seriously help me out. I just need a bit of clarity on what the “aux” really does when I’m trying to monitor these processes. It seems like such a simple command, but I feel like there’s a whole world of detail behind it that I’m missing. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

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    2 Answers



    1. Understanding ps aux Command

      Getting the Lowdown on `ps aux`

      So, you’ve been diving into Linux commands, and that’s awesome! The `ps` command is indeed the way to go when you want to see what processes are running on your system. Now, let’s break down that aux thing you keep hearing about.

      First off, aux isn’t just random letters—it actually stands for something:

      • a: This option tells `ps` to show processes for all users, not just your own. So, you get the full picture of what’s happening on the system.
      • u: This one adds a bit more detail about the processes. It outputs information in a user-oriented format, which includes the username of the owner of the process, CPU usage, memory usage, and more. Basically, it makes things easier to read.
      • x: This option shows processes that aren’t attached to a terminal. These are usually daemons or background services that keep your system running smoothly, even when you’re not looking.

      When you run ps aux, you get a list of all these processes along with columns like:

      • USER: Who owns the process.
      • PID: The process ID (unique number assigned to each process).
      • %CPU: How much CPU the process is using.
      • %MEM: How much memory the process is taking up.
      • COMMAND: The command that started the process.

      The aux options change the output by giving you a more detailed and complete view of everything running on your system, as opposed to a more stripped-down look.

      Now, about those other commands you mentioned:

      • ps -e: This shows all processes, similar to ps aux, but doesn’t include the user-oriented format or background processes.
      • ps -ef: This is similar to ps aux in that it shows all processes but formatted slightly differently. It’s also user-oriented but uses a different column layout.

      In short, using aux just makes it easier to see everything at once and understand what’s happening with your system processes. So don’t sweat it! With time, you’ll get the hang of these commands.



    2. The `ps` command is indeed essential for monitoring system processes, and the options “aux” are not just random letters—they stand for specific features. When you use `ps aux`, you’re asking the command to display all running processes, including those belonging to other users. Specifically, the “a” option tells `ps` to show processes for all users, not just the ones associated with the current terminal session. The “u” option provides additional details, like user-oriented format, which includes the user name and memory and CPU usage, while the “x” option displays processes that do not have a controlling terminal, including background processes. This combination gives you a comprehensive view of the entire system’s activity, with important metrics you can monitor.

      Regarding the output columns you mentioned, such as USER, PID, %CPU, %MEM, and COMMAND, they help you understand each process’s resource usage and identity. The “a”, “u”, and “x” options indeed influence the information provided. For example, when you run `ps -e`, you will see every process in the system, but it won’t include user-oriented details or processes without a terminal. Similarly, `ps -ef` provides a full-format listing but still differs in presentation compared to `ps aux`. Overall, using `ps aux` tends to give a more detailed and user-friendly output, making it easier to understand what processes are consuming system resources and how they are categorized. If you’re looking to monitor and analyze processes effectively, the “aux” options are an excellent choice for a clear overview.


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