~ubuntu-branches/ubuntu/raring/procps/raring-proposed

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
871
872
873
874
875
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961
962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058
1059
1060
1061
1062
1063
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
1112
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146
1147
1148
1149
1150
1151
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159
1160
1161
1162
1163
1164
1165
1166
1167
1168
1169
1170
1171
1172
1173
1174
1175
1176
1177
1178
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198
1199
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
1207
1208
1209
1210
1211
1212
1213
1214
1215
1216
1217
1218
1219
1220
1221
1222
1223
1224
1225
1226
1227
1228
1229
1230
1231
1232
1233
1234
1235
1236
1237
1238
1239
1240
1241
1242
1243
1244
1245
1246
1247
1248
1249
1250
1251
1252
1253
1254
1255
1256
1257
1258
1259
1260
1261
1262
1263
1264
1265
1266
1267
1268
1269
1270
1271
1272
1273
1274
1275
1276
1277
1278
1279
1280
1281
1282
1283
1284
1285
1286
1287
1288
1289
1290
1291
1292
1293
1294
1295
1296
1297
1298
1299
1300
1301
1302
1303
1304
1305
1306
1307
1308
1309
1310
1311
1312
1313
1314
1315
1316
1317
1318
1319
1320
1321
1322
1323
1324
1325
1326
1327
1328
1329
1330
1331
1332
1333
1334
1335
1336
1337
1338
1339
1340
1341
1342
1343
1344
1345
1346
1347
1348
1349
1350
1351
1352
1353
1354
1355
1356
1357
1358
1359
1360
1361
1362
1363
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369
1370
1371
1372
1373
1374
1375
1376
1377
1378
1379
1380
1381
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387
1388
1389
1390
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
1396
1397
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402
1403
1404
1405
1406
1407
1408
1409
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419
1420
1421
1422
1423
1424
1425
1426
1427
1428
1429
1430
1431
1432
1433
1434
1435
1436
1437
1438
1439
1440
1441
1442
1443
1444
1445
1446
1447
1448
1449
1450
1451
1452
1453
1454
1455
1456
1457
1458
1459
1460
1461
1462
1463
1464
1465
1466
1467
1468
1469
1470
1471
1472
1473
1474
1475
1476
1477
1478
1479
1480
1481
1482
1483
1484
1485
1486
1487
1488
1489
1490
1491
1492
1493
1494
1495
1496
1497
1498
1499
1500
1501
1502
1503
1504
1505
1506
1507
1508
1509
1510
1511
1512
1513
1514
1515
1516
1517
1518
1519
1520
1521
1522
1523
1524
1525
1526
1527
1528
1529
1530
1531
1532
1533
1534
1535
1536
1537
1538
1539
1540
1541
1542
1543
1544
1545
1546
1547
1548
1549
1550
1551
1552
1553
1554
1555
1556
1557
1558
1559
1560
1561
1562
1563
1564
1565
1566
1567
1568
1569
1570
1571
1572
1573
1574
1575
1576
1577
1578
1579
1580
1581
1582
1583
1584
1585
1586
1587
1588
1589
1590
1591
1592
1593
1594
1595
1596
1597
1598
1599
1600
1601
1602
1603
1604
1605
1606
1607
1608
1609
1610
1611
1612
1613
1614
1615
1616
1617
1618
1619
1620
1621
1622
1623
1624
1625
1626
1627
1628
1629
1630
1631
1632
1633
1634
1635
1636
1637
1638
1639
1640
1641
1642
1643
1644
1645
1646
1647
1648
1649
1650
1651
.ig
. manual page for NEW top
. Copyright (c) 2002, by:      JC Warner & Associates, Ltd.
.
. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
. under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
. any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
. with no Front-Cover Texts, no Back-Cover Texts, and with the following
. Invariant Sections (and any sub-sections therein):
.   all .ig sections, including this one
.   STUPID TRICKS Sampler
.   AUTHOR
.
. A copy of the Free Documentation License is included in the section
. entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
.
. [ that section is found near the end of this document & ]
. [ can be made printable by disabling the .ig directive! ]
.
..
.\" Setup ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
\#  ** Comment out '.nr' or set to 0 to eliminate WIDTH fiddlin' !
.nr half_xtra 4
.
.ll +(\n[half_xtra] + \n[half_xtra])
.
\#                      Our darn Bullet style ----------------------------
.de Jbu
.IP "-" 3
..
\#                          - bullet continuation paragraph
.de Jp
.IP "" 3
..
\#                      New features/differences style -------------------
.de New
.IP "-*-" 5
..
.
\#                      Commonly used strings (for consistency) ----------
\#                          - a real em-dash, darn-it
.ds EM \ \fB\-\-\ \fR
\#                          - these two are for chuckles, makes great grammar
.ds Me top
.ds NE \fBtop\fR
\#                          - other misc strings for consistent usage/emphasis
.ds F \fIOff\fR
.ds O \fIOn\fR
.
.ds AM alternate\-display mode
.ds AS asterisk ('*')
.ds CF configuration file
.ds CI interactive command
.ds CO command\-line option
.ds CW \'current' window
.ds FM full\-screen mode
.ds MP \fBphysical\fR memory
.ds MS \fBshared\fR memory
.ds MV \fBvirtual\fR memory
.ds NT \fBNote\fR:
.ds PU CPU
.ds Pu cpu
.ds SA summary area
.ds TA task area
.ds TD task display
.ds TW task window
\#                          - xref's that depend on commands or topic names
.ds XC See the
.ds Xc see the
.ds XT See topic
.ds Xt see topic
.
.\" //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.TH TOP 1 "September 2002" "Linux" "Linux User's Manual"
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH NAME
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
top \- display Linux tasks


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH SYNOPSIS
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
\*(NE \-\fBhv\fR | \-\fBbcHisS\fR \-\fBd\fI delay\fR \-\fBn\fI
iterations\fR \-\fBp\fI pid\fR [,\fI pid\fR ...]

The traditional switches '-' and whitespace are optional.


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH DESCRIPTION
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The \*(NE program provides a dynamic real-time view of a running system.
It can display\fB system\fR summary information as well as a list of\fB
tasks\fR currently being managed by the Linux kernel.
The types of system summary information shown and the types, order and
size of information displayed for tasks are all user configurable and
that configuration can be made persistent across restarts.

The program provides a limited interactive interface for process
manipulation as well as a much more extensive interface for personal
configuration \*(EM encompassing every aspect of its operation.
And while \*(NE is referred to throughout this document, you are free
to name the program anything you wish.
That new name, possibly an alias, will then be reflected on \*(Me's display
and used when reading and writing a \*(CF.


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH OVERVIEW
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.\" ......................................................................
.SS Documentation
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The remaining Table of Contents
    1. COMMAND\-LINE Options
    2. FIELDS / Columns
       a. DESCRIPTIONS of Fields
       b. SELECTING and ORDERING Columns
    3. INTERACTIVE Commands
       a. GLOBAL Commands
       b. SUMMARY Area Commands
       c. TASK Area Commands
       d. COLOR Mapping
    4. ALTERNATE\-DISPLAY Mode
       a. WINDOWS Overview
       b. COMMANDS for Windows
    5. FILES
       a. SYSTEM Configuration File
       b. PERSONAL Configuration File
    6. STUPID TRICKS Sampler
       a. Kernel Magic
       b. Bouncing Windows
       c. The Big Bird Window
    7. BUGS, 8. HISTORY Former top, 9. AUTHOR, 10. SEE ALSO

.\" ......................................................................
.SS Operation
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
When operating \*(Me, the two most important keys are help ('h' or '?') and
quit ('q') key.
Alternatively, you could simply use the traditional interrupt key ('^C')
when you're done.

When you start \*(Me for the first time, you'll be presented with the
traditional screen elements: 1) Summary Area; 2) Message/Prompt Line;
3) Columns Header; 4) Task Area.
There will, however, be some differences when compared to the former top.

.TP 3
.B Highlighting
.I Summary_Area\fR:
There is no highlighting for load/uptime and only values are highlighted for
other elements.

.I Task_Area\fR:
Tasks running (or ready to run) will be highlighted, and bold is only one way
of emphasizing such processes.

.TP 3
.B Content/Labels
.I Summary_Area\fR:
The program name is shown, perhaps a symlink or alias.
The Cpu(s) state label hints at other possibilities.
The memory stats use a lower case 'k'.

.I Columns_Header\fR:
Will show a new field and some changed labels.
More new fields will be found as you customize your \*(Me.

.PP
\*(NT the width of \*(Me's display will be limited to 512 positions.
Displaying all fields requires a minimum of 160 characters.
The remaining width could be used for the 'Command' column.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS Startup Defaults
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The following startup defaults assume no \*(CF, thus no user customizations.
Even so, items shown with an \*(AS could be overridden through the
command-line.

    \fIGlobal_defaults\fR
       'A' - Alt display      Off (full-screen)
     * 'd' - Delay time       3.0 seconds
       'I' - Irix mode        On\ \ (no, 'solaris' smp)
     * 'p' - PID monitoring   Off
     * 's' - Secure mode      Off (unsecured)
       'B' - Bold enable      Off
    \fISummary_Area_defaults\fR
       'l' - Load Avg/Uptime  On\ \ (thus program name)
       't' - Task/Cpu states  On\ \ (1+1 lines, see '1')
       'm' - Mem/Swap usage   On\ \ (2 lines worth)
       '1' - Single Cpu       On\ \ (thus 1 line if smp)
    \fITask_Area_defaults\fR
       'b' - Bold hilite      On\ \ (not 'reverse')
     * 'c' - Command line     Off (name, not cmdline)
     * 'H' - Threads          Off\ (show all threads)
     * 'i' - Idle tasks       On\ \ (show all tasks)
       'R' - Reverse sort     On\ \ (pids high-to-low)
     * 'S' - Cumulative time  Off (no, dead children)
       'x' - Column hilite    Off\ (no, sort field)
       'y' - Row hilite       On\ \ (yes, running tasks)
       'z' - color/mono       Off\ (no, colors)


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 1. COMMAND-LINE Options
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The command-line syntax for \*(Me consists of:

     \-\fBhv\fR\ |\ -\fBbcHisS\fR\ \-\fBd\fI\ delay\fR\ \-\fBn\fI\ iterations\
\fR\ \-\fBp\fI\ pid\fR\ [,\fIpid\fR...]

The typically mandatory switches ('-') and even whitespace are completely
optional.

.TP 5
\-\fBb\fR :\fB Batch mode\fR operation
Starts \*(Me in 'Batch mode', which could be useful for sending output
from \*(Me to other programs or to a file.
In this mode, \*(Me will not accept input and runs until the iterations
limit you've set with the '-n' \*(CO or until killed.

.TP 5
\-\fBc\fR :\fB Command line/Program name\fR toggle
Starts \*(Me with the last remembered 'c' state reversed.
Thus, if \*(Me was displaying command lines, now that field will show program
names, and visa versa.
\*(XC 'c' \*(CI for additional information.

.TP 5
\-\fBd\fR :\fB Delay time\fR interval as:\ \ \fB-d ss.tt\fR (\fIseconds\fR.\fItenths\fR)
Specifies the delay between screen updates, and overrides the corresponding
value in one's personal \*(CF or the startup default.
Later this can be changed with the 'd' or 's' \*(CIs.

Fractional seconds are honored, but a negative number is not allowed.
In all cases, however, such changes are prohibited if \*(Me is running
in 'Secure mode', except for root (unless the 's' \*(CO was used).
For additional information on 'Secure mode' \*(Xt 5a. SYSTEM Configuration File.


.TP 5
\-\fBh\fR :\fB Help\fR
Show library version and the usage prompt, then quit.

.TP 5
\-\fBH\fR :\fB Threads\fR toggle
Starts \*(Me with the last remembered 'H' state reversed.
When this toggle is \*O, all individual threads will be displayed.  Otherwise, \*(Me displays a summation of all threads in a process.

.TP 5
\-\fBi\fR :\fB Idle Processes\fR toggle
Starts \*(Me with the last remembered 'i' state reversed.
When this toggle is \*F, tasks that are idled or zombied will not be displayed.

.TP 5
\-\fBn\fR :\fB Number of iterations\fR limit as:\fB\ \ -n number\fR
Specifies the maximum number of iterations, or frames, \*(Me should
produce before ending.

.TP 5
\-\fBu\fR :\fB Monitor by user\fR as:\fB\ \ -u somebody
Monitor only processes with an effective UID or user name
matching that given.

.TP 5
\-\fBU\fR :\fB Monitor by user\fR as:\fB\ \ -U somebody
Monitor only processes with a UID or user name matching that given.
This matches real, effective, saved, and filesystem UIDs.

.TP 5
\-\fBp\fR :\fB Monitor PIDs\fR as:\fB\ \ -pN1 -pN2 ...\fR\ \ or\fB\ \ -pN1, N2 [,...]
Monitor only processes with specified process IDs.
This option can be given up to 20 times, or you can provide a comma delimited
list with up to 20 pids.
Co-mingling both approaches is permitted.

This is a \*(CO only.
And should you wish to return to normal operation, it is not necessary
to quit and and restart \*(Me \*(EM just issue the '=' \*(CI.

.TP 5
\-\fBs\fR :\fB Secure mode\fR operation
Starts \*(Me with secure mode forced, even for root.
This mode is far better controlled through the system \*(CF
(\*(Xt 5. FILES).

.TP 5
\-\fBS\fR :\fB Cumulative time mode\fR toggle
Starts \*(Me with the last remembered 'S' state reversed.
When 'Cumulative mode' is \*O, each process is listed with the \*(Pu
time that it and its dead children have used.
\*(XC 'S' \*(CI for additional information regarding this mode.

.TP 5
\-\fBv\fR :\fB Version\fR
Show library version and the usage prompt, then quit.


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 2. FIELDS / Columns
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.\" ......................................................................
.SS 2a. DESCRIPTIONS of Fields
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Listed below are \*(Me's available fields.
They are always associated with the letter shown, regardless of the position
you may have established for them with the 'o' (Order fields) \*(CI.

Any field is selectable as the sort field, and you control whether they
are sorted high-to-low or low-to-high.
For additional information on sort provisions \*(Xt 3c. TASK Area Commands.

.TP 3
a:\fB PID\fR \*(EM Process Id\fR
The task's unique process ID, which periodically wraps,
though never restarting at zero.

.TP 3
b:\fB PPID\fR \*(EM Parent Process Pid\fR
The process ID of a task's parent.

.TP 3
c:\fB RUSER\fR \*(EM Real User Name\fR
The real user name of the task's owner.

.TP 3
d:\fB UID\fR \*(EM User Id\fR
The effective user ID of the task's owner.

.TP 3
e:\fB USER\fR \*(EM User Name\fR
The effective user name of the task's owner.

.TP 3
f:\fB GROUP\fR \*(EM Group Name\fR
The effective group name of the task's owner.

.TP 3
g:\fB TTY\fR \*(EM Controlling Tty
The name of the controlling terminal.
This is usually the device (serial port, pty, etc.) from which the
process was started, and which it uses for input or output.
However, a task need not be associated with a terminal, in which case
you'll see '?' displayed.

.TP 3
h:\fB PR\fR \*(EM Priority
The priority of the task.

.TP 3
i:\fB NI\fR \*(EM Nice value
The nice value of the task.
A negative nice value means higher priority, whereas a positive nice value
means lower priority.
Zero in this field simply means priority will not be adjusted in determining a
task's dispatchability.

.TP 3
j:\fB P\fR \*(EM Last used \*(PU (SMP)
A number representing the last used processor.
In a true SMP environment this will likely change frequently since the kernel
intentionally uses weak affinity.
Also, the very act of running \*(Me may break this weak affinity and cause more
processes to change \*(PUs more often (because of the extra demand for
\*(Pu time).

.TP 3
k:\fB %CPU\fR \*(EM \*(PU usage
The task's share of the elapsed \*(PU time since the last screen update,
expressed as a percentage of total \*(PU time.
In a true SMP environment, if 'Irix mode' is \*F, \*(Me will operate
in 'Solaris mode' where a task's \*(Pu usage will be divided by the total
number of \*(PUs.
You toggle 'Irix/Solaris' modes with the 'I' \*(CI.

.TP 3
l:\fB TIME\fR \*(EM \*(PU Time
Total \*(PU time the task has used since it started.
When 'Cumulative mode' is \*O, each process is listed with the \*(Pu
time that it and its dead children has used.
You toggle 'Cumulative mode' with 'S', which is a \*(CO and an \*(CI.
\*(XC 'S' \*(CI for additional information regarding this mode.

.TP 3
m:\fB TIME+\fR \*(EM \*(PU Time, hundredths
The same as 'TIME', but reflecting more granularity through hundredths of
a second.

.TP 3
n:\fB %MEM\fR \*(EM Memory usage (RES)
A task's currently used share of available \*(MP.

.TP 3
o:\fB VIRT\fR \*(EM Virtual Image (kb)
The total amount of \*(MV used by the task.
It includes all code, data and shared libraries plus pages that have been
swapped out and pages that have been mapped but not used.

.TP 3
p:\fB SWAP\fR \*(EM Swapped size (kb)
Memory that is not resident but is present in a task.  This is memory that
has been swapped out but could include additional non-resident memory.
This column is calculated by subtracting \*(MP from \*(MV.

.TP 3
q:\fB RES\fR \*(EM Resident size (kb)
The non-swapped \*(MP a task has used.

.TP 3
r:\fB CODE\fR \*(EM Code size (kb)
The amount of \*(MV devoted to executable code, also known as
the 'text resident set' size or TRS.

.TP 3
s:\fB DATA\fR \*(EM Data+Stack size (kb)
The amount of \*(MV devoted to other than executable code, also known as
the 'data resident set' size or DRS.

.TP 3
t:\fB SHR\fR \*(EM Shared Mem size (kb)
The amount of \*(MS used by a task.
It simply reflects memory that could be potentially shared with
other processes.

.TP 3
u:\fB nFLT\fR \*(EM Page Fault count
The number of\fB major\fR page faults that have occurred for a task.
A page fault occurs when a process attempts to read from or write to a virtual
page that is not currently present in its address space.
A major page fault is when backing storage access (such as a disk) is involved
in making that page available.

.TP 3
v:\fB nDRT\fR \*(EM Dirty Pages count
The number of pages that have been modified since they were last
written to disk.
Dirty pages must be written to disk before the corresponding physical memory
location can be used for some other virtual page.

.TP 3
w:\fB S\fR \*(EM Process Status
The status of the task which can be one of:
   '\fBD\fR' = uninterruptible sleep
   '\fBR\fR' = running
   '\fBS\fR' = sleeping
   '\fBT\fR' = traced or stopped
   '\fBZ\fR' = zombie

Tasks shown as running should be more properly thought of as 'ready to run'
\*(EM their task_struct is simply represented on the Linux run-queue.
Even without a true SMP machine, you may see numerous tasks in this state
depending on \*(Me's delay interval and nice value.

.TP 3
x:\fB Command\fR \*(EM Command\fB line\fR or Program\fB name\fR
Display the command line used to start a task or the name of the associated
program.
You toggle between command\fI line\fR and\fI name\fR with 'c', which is both
a \*(CO and an \*(CI.

When you've chosen to display command lines, processes without a command
line (like kernel threads) will be shown with only the program name in
parentheses, as in this example:
      \fR( mdrecoveryd )

Either form of display is subject to potential truncation if it's too long to
fit in this field's current width.
That width depends upon other fields selected, their order and the current
screen width.

\*(NT The 'Command' field/column is unique, in that it is not fixed-width.
When displayed, this column will be allocated all remaining screen width (up
to the maximum 512 characters) to provide for the potential growth of program
names into command lines.

.TP 3
y:\fB WCHAN\fR \*(EM Sleeping in Function
Depending on the availability of the kernel link map ('System.map'), this field
will show the name or the address of the kernel function in which the task is
currently sleeping.
Running tasks will display a dash ('-') in this column.

\*(NT By displaying this field, \*(Me's own working set will be increased by
over 700Kb.
Your only means of reducing that overhead will be to stop and restart \*(Me.

.TP 3
z:\fB Flags\fR \*(EM Task Flags
This column represents the task's current scheduling flags which are
expressed in hexadecimal notation and with zeros suppressed.
These flags are officially documented in <linux/sched.h>.
Less formal documentation can also be found on the 'Fields select'
and 'Order fields' screens.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 2b. SELECTING and ORDERING Columns
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
After pressing the \*(CIs 'f' (Fields select) or 'o' (Order fields) you will
be shown a screen containing the current \fBfields string\fR followed by names
and descriptions for all fields.

Here is a sample\fB fields string\fR from one of \*(Me's four windows/field
groups and an explanation of the conventions used:
.Jbu
Sample fields string:
   \fIANOPQRSTUVXbcdefgjlmyzWHIK\fR
.Jbu
The order of displayed fields corresponds to the order of the letters
in that string.
.Jbu
If the letter is\fI upper case\fR the corresponding field itself will
then be shown as part of the \*(TD (screen width permitting).
This will also be indicated by a leading \*(AS, as in this excerpt:
    \fR...
    \fB* K: %CPU       = CPU usage
    \fR  l: TIME       = CPU Time
    \fR  m: TIME+      = CPU Time, hundredths
    \fB* N: %MEM       = Memory usage (RES)
    \fB* O: VIRT       = Virtual Image (kb)
    \fR...

.TP
.B Fields select\fR screen \*(EM the 'f' \*(CI
You\fI toggle\fR the\fB display\fR of a field by simply pressing the
corresponding letter.

.TP
.B Order fields\fR screen \*(EM the 'o' \*(CI
You\fI move\fR a field to the\fB left\fR by pressing the corresponding\fB
upper case\fR letter and to the\fB right\fR with the\fB lower case\fR
letter.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 2c. CPU States
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The CPU states are shown in the Summary Area. They are always shown as a
percentage and are for the time between now and the last refresh.

.TP 3
\fB us\fR \*(EM User CPU time
The time the CPU has spent running users' processes that are not
niced.

.TP 3
\fB sy\fR \*(EM System CPU time
The time the CPU has spent running the kernel and its processes.

.TP 3
\fB ni\fR \*(EM Nice CPU time
The time the CPU has spent running users' proccess that have been
niced.

.TP 3
\fB wa\fR \*(EM iowait
Amount of time the CPU has been waiting for I/O to complete.

.TP 3
\fB hi\fR \*(EM Hardware IRQ
The amount of time the CPU has been servicing hardware interrupts.

.TP 3
\fB si\fR \*(EM Software Interrupts
The amount of time the CPU has been servicing software interrupts.

.TP 3
\fB st\fR \*(EM Steal Time
The amount of CPU 'stolen' from this virtual machine by the hypervisor
for other tasks (such as running another virtual machine).

.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 3. INTERACTIVE Commands
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Listed below is a brief index of commands within categories.
Some commands appear more than once \*(EM their meaning or scope may vary
depending on the context in which they are issued.

  3a.\fI GLOBAL_Commands\fR
        <Ret/Sp> ?, =, A, B, d, G, h, I, k, q, r, s, W, Z
  3b.\fI SUMMARY_Area_Commands\fR
        l, m, t, 1
  3c.\fI TASK_Area_Commands\fR
        Appearance:  b, x, y, z
        Content:     c, f, H, o, S, u
        Size:        #, i, n
        Sorting:     <, >, F, O, R
  3d.\fI COLOR_Mapping\fR
        <Ret>, a, B, b, H, M, q, S, T, w, z, 0 - 7
  4b.\fI COMMANDS_for_Windows\fR
        -, _, =, +, A, a, G, g, w

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 3a. GLOBAL Commands
The global \*(CIs are\fB always\fR available\fR in both \*(FM and \*(AM.
However, some of these \*(CIs are\fB not available\fR when running
in 'Secure mode'.

If you wish to know in advance whether or not your \*(Me has been secured,
simply ask for help and view the system summary on the second line.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBEnter\fR> or <\fBSpace\fR> :\fIRefresh_Display\fR
These commands do nothing, they are simply ignored.
However, they will awaken \*(Me and following receipt of any input
the entire display will be repainted.

Use either of these keys if you have a large delay interval and wish to
see current status,

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fB?\fR\> or \<\fBh\fR\> :\fIHelp\fR
There are two help levels available.
The first will provide a reminder of all the basic \*(CIs.
If \*(Me is\fI secured\fR, that screen will be abbreviated.

Typing 'h' or '?' on that help screen will take you to help for those \*(CIs
applicable to \*(AM.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fB=\fR\> :\fIExit_Task_Limits\fR
Removes restrictions on which tasks are shown.
This command will reverse any 'i' (idle tasks) and 'n' (max tasks) commands
that might be active.
It also provides for an 'exit' from PID monitoring.
See the '-p' \*(CO for a discussion of PID monitoring.

When operating in \*(AM this command has a slightly broader meaning.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBA\fR\> :\fIAlternate_Display_Mode_toggle\fR
This command will switch between \*(FM and \*(AM.
\*(XT 4. ALTERNATE\-DISPLAY Mode and the 'G' \*(CI for insight
into \*(CWs and field groups.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBB\fR\> :\fIBold_Disable/Enable_toggle\fR
This command will influence use of the 'bold' terminfo capability and
alters\fB both\fR the \*(SA and \*(TA for the \*(CW.
While it is intended primarily for use with dumb terminals, it can be
applied anytime.

\*(NT When this toggle is \*O and \*(Me is operating in monochrome mode,
the\fB entire display\fR will appear as normal text.
Thus, unless the 'x' and/or 'y' toggles are using reverse for emphasis,
there will be no visual confirmation that they are even on.

.TP 7
*\ \<\fBd\fR\> or \<\fBs\fR\> :\fIChange_Delay_Time_interval\fR
You will be prompted to enter the delay time, in seconds, between
display updates.

Fractional seconds are honored, but a negative number is not allowed.
Entering 0 causes (nearly) continuous updates, with an unsatisfactory
display as the system and tty driver try to keep up with \*(Me's demands.
The delay value is inversely proportional to system loading,
so set it with care.

If at any time you wish to know the current delay time, simply ask for help
and view the system summary on the second line.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBG\fR\> :\fIChoose_Another_Window/Field_Group\fR
You will be prompted to enter a number between 1 and 4 designating the
window/field group which should be made the \*(CW.
You will soon grow comfortable with these 4 windows, especially after
experimenting with \*(AM.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBI\fR\> :\fIIrix/Solaris_Mode_toggle\fR
When operating in 'Solaris mode' ('I' toggled \*F), a task's \*(Pu usage
will be divided by the total number of \*(PUs.
After issuing this command, you'll be informed of the new state of this toggle.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBu\fR\> :\fIselect a user\fR
You will be prompted for a UID or username. Only processes
belonging to the selected user will be displayed. This option
matches on the effective UID.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBU\fR\> :\fIselect a user\fR
You will be prompted for a UID or username. Only processes
belonging to the selected user will be displayed. This option
matches on the real, effective, saved, and filesystem UID.

.TP 7
*\ \<\fBk\fR\> :\fIKill_a_task\fR
You will be prompted for a PID and then the signal to send.
The default signal, as reflected in the prompt, is SIGTERM.
However, you can send any signal, via number or name.

If you wish to abort the kill process, do one of the following
depending on your progress:
   1) at the pid prompt, just press <Enter>
   2) at the signal prompt, type 0

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBq\fR\> :\fIQuit\fR

.TP 7
*\ \<\fBr\fR\> :\fIRenice_a_Task\fR
You will be prompted for a PID and then the value to nice it to.
Entering a positive value will cause a process to lose priority.
Conversely, a negative value will cause a process to be viewed more
favorably by the kernel.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBW\fR\> :\fIWrite_the_Configuration_File\fR
This will save all of your options and toggles plus the current
display mode and delay time.
By issuing this command just before quitting \*(Me, you will be able restart
later in exactly that same state.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBZ\fR\> :\fIChange_Color_Mapping
This key will take you to a separate screen where you can change the
colors for the \*(CW, or for all windows.
For details regarding this \*(CI \*(Xt 3d. COLOR Mapping.

.IP "*" 3
The commands shown with an \*(AS are not available in 'Secure mode',
nor will they be shown on the level-1 help screen.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 3b. SUMMARY Area Commands
The \*(SA \*(CIs are\fB always available\fR in both \*(FM and \*(AM.
They affect the beginning lines of your display and will determine the position
of messages and prompts.

These commands always impact just the \*(CW/field group.
\*(XT 4. ALTERNATE\-DISPLAY Mode and the 'G' \*(CI for insight
into \*(CWs and field groups.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBl\fR\> :\fIToggle_Load_Average/Uptime\fR \*(EM On/Off
This is also the line containing the program name (possibly an alias) when
operating in \*(FM or the \*(CW name when operating in \*(AM.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBm\fR\> :\fIToggle_Memory/Swap_Usage\fR \*(EM On/Off
This command affects two \*(SA lines.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBt\fR\> :\fIToggle_Task/Cpu_States\fR \*(EM On/Off
This command affects from 2 to many \*(SA lines, depending on the state
of the '1' toggle and whether or not \*(Me is running under true SMP.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fB1\fR\> :\fIToggle_Single/Separate_Cpu_States\fR \*(EM On/Off
This command affects how the 't' command's Cpu States portion is shown.
Although this toggle exists primarily to serve massively-parallel SMP machines,
it is not restricted to solely SMP environments.

When you see 'Cpu(s):' in the \*(SA, the '1' toggle is \*O and all
\*(Pu information is gathered in a single line.
Otherwise, each \*(Pu is displayed separately as: 'Cpu0, Cpu1, ...'

.PP
\*(NT If the entire \*(SA has been toggled \*F for any window, you would be left
with just the\fB message line\fR.
In that way, you will have maximized available task rows but (temporarily)
sacrificed the program name in \*(FM or the \*(CW name when in \*(AM.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 3c. TASK Area Commands
The \*(TA \*(CIs are\fB always\fR available in \*(FM.

The \*(TA \*(CIs are\fB never available\fR in \*(AM\fI if\fR the \*(CW's
\*(TD has been toggled \*F (\*(Xt 4. ALTERNATE\-DISPLAY Mode).

.PP
.\" .........................
.B APPEARANCE\fR of \*(TW
.br
.in +2
The following commands will also be influenced by the state of the
global 'B' (bold disable) toggle.
.in

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBb\fR\> :\fIBold/Reverse_toggle\fR
This command will impact how the 'x' and 'y' toggles are displayed.
Further, it will only be available when at least one of those toggles is \*O.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBx\fR\> :\fIColumn_Highlight_toggle\fR
Changes highlighting for the current sort field.
You probably don't need a constant visual reminder of the sort field and
\*(Me hopes that you always run with 'column highlight' \*F, due to the cost
in path-length.

If you forget which field is being sorted this command can serve as a quick
visual reminder.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBy\fR\> :\fIRow_Highlight_toggle\fR
Changes highlighting for "running" tasks.
For additional insight into this task state, \*(Xt 2a. DESCRIPTIONS of Fields,
Process Status.

Use of this provision provides important insight into your system's health.
The only costs will be a few additional tty escape sequences.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBz\fR\> :\fIColor/Monochrome_toggle\fR
Switches the \*(CW between your last used color scheme and the older form
of black-on-white or white-on-black.
This command will alter\fB both\fR the \*(SA and \*(TA but does not affect the
state of the 'x', 'y' or 'b' toggles.

.PP
.\" .........................
.B CONTENT\fR of \*(TW
.PD 0
.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBc\fR\> :\fICommand_Line/Program_Name_toggle\fR
This command will be honored whether or not the 'Command' column
is currently visible.
Later, should that field come into view, the change you applied will be seen.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBf\fR\> and \<\fBo\fR\> :\fIFields_select\fR or \fIOrder_fields\fR
These keys display separate screens where you can change which
fields are displayed and their order.
For additional information on these \*(CIs
\*(Xt 2b. SELECTING and ORDERING Columns.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBS\fR\> :\fICumulative_Time_Mode_toggle\fR
When this toggle is \*O, all individual threads will be displayed.  Otherwise, \*(Me displays a summation of all threads in a process.

.TP 7
\ \ \'\fBS\fR\' :\fICumulative_Time_Mode_toggle\fR
When 'Cumulative mode' is \*O, each process is listed with the \*(Pu
time that it and its dead children have used.

When \*F, programs that fork into many separate tasks will appear
less demanding.
For programs like 'init' or a shell this is appropriate but for others,
like compilers, perhaps not.
Experiment with two \*(TWs sharing the same sort field but with different 'S'
states and see which representation you prefer.

After issuing this command, you'll be informed of the new state of this toggle.
If you wish to know in advance whether or not 'Cumulative mode' is in
effect, simply ask for help and view the window summary on the second line.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBu\fR\> :\fIShow_Specific_User_Only\fR
You will be prompted to enter the name of the user to display.
Thereafter, in that \*(TW only matching User ID's will be shown, or possibly
no tasks will be shown.

Later, if you wish to monitor all tasks again, re-issue this command but
just press <Enter> at the prompt, without providing a name.

.PP
.\" .........................
.B SIZE\fR of \*(TW
.PD 0
.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBi\fR\> :\fIIdle_Processes_toggle\fR
Displays all tasks or just active tasks.
When this toggle is \*F, idled or zombied processes will not be displayed.

If this command is applied to the last \*(TD when in \*(AM, then it will not
affect the window's size, as all prior \*(TDs will have already been painted.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBn\fR\> or \<\fB#\fR\> :\fISet_Maximum_Tasks\fR
You will be prompted to enter the number of tasks to display.
The lessor of your number and available screen rows will be used.

When used in \*(AM, this is the command that gives you precise control over
the size of each currently visible \*(TD, except for the very last.
It will not affect the last window's size, as all prior \*(TDs will have
already been painted.

\*(NT If you wish to increase the size of the last visible \*(TD when in \*(AM,
simply decrease the size of the \*(TD(s) above it.

.PP
.\" .........................
.B SORTING\fR of \*(TW
.br
.in +2
For compatibility, this \*(Me supports most of the former \*(Me sort keys.
Since this is primarily a service to former \*(Me users, these commands do
not appear on any help screen.
   command   sorted field                  supported
     A         start time (non-display)      No
     M         %MEM                          Yes
     N         PID                           Yes
     P         %CPU                          Yes
     T         TIME+                         Yes

Before using any of the following sort provisions, \*(Me suggests that you
temporarily turn on column highlighting using the 'x' \*(CI.
That will help ensure that the actual sort environment matches your intent.

The following \*(CIs will\fB only\fR be honored when the
current sort field is\fB visible\fR.
The sort field might\fI not\fR be visible because:
     1) there is insufficient\fI Screen Width\fR
     2) the 'f' \*(CI turned it \*F
.in

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fB<\fR\> :\fIMove_Sort_Field_Left\fR
Moves the sort column to the left unless the current sort field is
the first field being displayed.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fB>\fR\> :\fIMove_Sort_Field_Right\fR
Moves the sort column to the right unless the current sort field is
the last field being displayed.

.PP
.in +2
The following \*(CIs will\fB always\fR be honored whether or not
the current sort field is visible.
.in

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBF\fR\> or \<\fBO\fR\> :\fISelect_Sort_Field\fR
These keys display a separate screen where you can change which field
is used as the sort column.

If a field is selected which was not previously being displayed, it will
be forced \*O when you return to the \*(Me display.
However, depending upon your screen width and the order of your fields,
this sort field may not be displayable.

This \*(CI can be a convenient way to simply verify the current sort field,
when running \*(Me with column highlighting turned \*F.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBR\fR\> :\fIReverse/Normal_Sort_Field_toggle\fR
Using this \*(CI you can alternate between high-to-low and low-to-high sorts.

.PP
.in +2
\*(NT Field sorting uses internal values, not those in column display.
Thus, the TTY and WCHAN fields will violate strict ASCII collating sequence.
.in

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 3d. COLOR Mapping
When you issue the 'Z' \*(CI, you will be presented with a separate screen.
That screen can be used to change the colors in just the \*(CW or
in all four windows before returning to the \*(Me display.

.P
.B Available \*(CIs
    \fB4\fR upper case letters to select a\fB target\fR
    \fB8\fR numbers to select a\fB color\fR
    normal toggles available\fR
        'B'       :bold disable/enable
        'b'       :running tasks "bold"/reverse
        'z'       :color/mono
    other commands available\fR
        'a'/'w'   :apply, then go to next/prior
        <Enter>   :apply and exit
        'q'       :abandon current changes and exit

If your use 'a' or 'w' to cycle the targeted window, you will
have applied the color scheme that was displayed when you left that window.
You can, of course, easily return to any window and reapply different
colors or turn colors \*F completely with the 'z' toggle.

The Color Mapping screen can also be used to change the \*(CW/field group
in either \*(FM or \*(AM.
Whatever was targeted when 'q' or <Enter> was pressed will be made current
as you return to the \*(Me display.


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 4. ALTERNATE\-DISPLAY Mode
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.\" ......................................................................
.SS 4a. WINDOWS Overview
.TP
.B Field Groups/Windows\fR:
.br
In \*(FM there is a single window represented by the entire screen.
That single window can still be changed to display 1 of 4 different\fB field
groups\fR (\*(Xc 'G' \*(CI, repeated below).
Each of the 4 field groups has a unique separately configurable\fB \*(SA\fR
and its own configurable\fB \*(TA\fR.

In \*(AM, those 4 underlying field groups can now be made visible
simultaneously, or can be turned \*F individually at your command.

The \*(SA will always exist, even if it's only the message line.
At any given time only\fI one\fR \*(SA can be displayed.
However, depending on your commands, there could be from\fI zero\fR
to\fI four\fR separate \*(TDs currently showing on the screen.

.TP
.B Current Window\fR:
.br
The \*(CW is the window associated with the \*(SA and the window to which
task related commands are always directed.
Since in \*(AM you can toggle the \*(TD \*F, some commands might be
restricted for the \*(CW.

A further complication arises when you have toggled the first \*(SA
line \*F.
With the loss of the window name (the 'l' toggled line), you'll not easily
know what window is the \*(CW.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 4b. COMMANDS for Windows
.TP 7
\ \ \<\fB-\fR\> and \<\fB_\fR\> :\fIShow/Hide_Window(s)_toggles\fR
The '-' key turns the \*(CW's \*(TD \*O and \*F.
When \*O, that \*(TA will show a minimum of the columns header you've
established with the 'f' and 'o' commands.
It will also reflect any other \*(TA options/toggles you've applied yielding
zero or more tasks.

The '_' key does the same for all \*(TDs.
In other words, it switches between the currently visible \*(TD(s) and any
\*(TD(s) you had toggled \*F.
If all 4 \*(TDs are currently visible, this \*(CI will leave the \*(SA
as the only display element.

.TP 7
*\ \<\fB=\fR\> and \<\fB+\fR\> :\fIEqualize_(re-balance)_Window(s)\fR
The '=' key forces the \*(CW's \*(TD to be visible.
It also reverses any 'i' (idle tasks) and 'n' (max tasks) commands that might
be active.

The '+' key does the same for all windows.
The four \*(TDs will reappear, evenly balanced.
They will also have retained any customizations you had previously applied,
except for the 'i' (idle tasks) and 'n' (max tasks) commands.

.TP 7
*\ \<\fBA\fR\> :\fIAlternate_Display_Mode_toggle\fR
This command will switch between \*(FM and \*(AM.

The first time you issue this command, all four \*(TDs will be shown.
Thereafter when you switch modes, you will see only the \*(TD(s) you've
chosen to make visible.

.TP 7
*\ \<\fBa\fR\> and \<\fBw\fR\> :\fINext_Window_Forward/Backward\fR
This will change the \*(CW, which in turn changes the window to which
commands are directed.
These keys act in a circular fashion so you can reach any desired \*(CW
using either key.

Assuming the window name is visible (you have not toggled 'l' \*F),
whenever the \*(CW name loses its emphasis/color, that's a reminder
the \*(TD is \*F and many commands will be restricted.

.TP 7
*\ \<\fBG\fR\> :\fIChoose_Another_Window/Field_Group\fR
You will be prompted to enter a number between 1 and 4 designating the
window/field group which should be made the \*(CW.

In \*(FM, this command is necessary to alter the \*(CW.
In \*(AM, it is simply a less convenient alternative to the 'a' and 'w'
commands.

.TP 7
\ \ \<\fBg\fR\> :\fIChange_Window/Field_Group_Name\fR
You will be prompted for a new name to be applied to the \*(CW.
It does not require that the window name be visible
(the 'l' toggle to be \*O).

.IP "*" 3
The \*(CIs shown with an \*(AS have use beyond \*(AM.
    '=', 'A', 'G'  are always available
    'a', 'w'       act the same when color mapping


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 5. FILES
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.\" ......................................................................
.SS 5a. SYSTEM Configuration File
The presence of this file will influence which version of the 'help' screen
is shown to an ordinary user.
More importantly, it will limit what ordinary users are allowed
to do when \*(Me is running.
They will not be able to issue the following commands.
   k         Kill a task
   r         Renice a task
   d or s    Change delay/sleep interval

The system \*(CF is\fB not\fR created by \*(Me.
Rather, you create this file manually and place it in the \fI/etc\fR
directory.
Its name must be 'toprc' and must have no leading '.' (period).
It must have only two lines.

Here is an example of the contents of\fI /etc/toprc\fR:
   s         # line 1: 'secure' mode switch
   5.0       # line 2: 'delay'\ \ interval in seconds

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 5b. PERSONAL Configuration File
This file is written as '$HOME/.your-name-4-top' + 'rc'.
Use the 'W' \*(CI to create it or update it.

Here is the general layout:
   global    # line 1: the program name/alias notation
     "       # line 2: id,altscr,irixps,delay,curwin
   per ea    # line a: winname,fieldscur
   window    # line b: winflags,sortindx,maxtasks
     "       # line c: summclr,msgsclr,headclr,taskclr

If the $HOME variable is not present, \*(Me will try to write the
personal \*(CF to the current directory, subject to permissions.


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 6. STUPID TRICKS Sampler
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Many of these 'tricks' work best when you give \*(Me a scheduling boost.
So plan on starting him with a nice value of -10, assuming you've got
the authority.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 6a. Kernel Magic
.\" sorry, just can't help it -- don't ya love the sound of this?
For these stupid tricks, \*(Me needs \*(FM.
.\" ( apparently AM static was a potential concern )

.New
The user interface, through prompts and help, intentionally implies
that the delay interval is limited to tenths of a second.
However, you're free to set any desired delay.
If you want to see Linux at his scheduling best, try a delay of .09
seconds or less.

For this experiment, under x-windows open an xterm and maximize it.
Then do the following:
  . provide a scheduling boost and tiny delay via:
      nice -n -10 top -d.09
  . keep sorted column highlighting \*F to minimize
    path length
  . turn \*O reverse row highlighting for emphasis
  . try various sort columns (TIME/MEM work well),
    and normal or reverse sorts to bring the most
    active processes into view

What you'll see is a very busy Linux doing what he's always done for you,
but there was no program available to illustrate this.

.New
Under an xterm using 'white-on-black' colors, try setting \*(Me's task color
to black and be sure that task highlighting is set to bold, not reverse.
Then set the delay interval to around .3 seconds.

After bringing the most active processes into view, what you'll see are
the ghostly images of just the currently running tasks.

.New
Delete the existing rcfile, or create a new symlink.
Start this new version then type 'T' (a secret key, \*(Xt 3c. TASK Area
Commands, Sorting) followed by 'W' and 'q'.
Finally, restart the program with -d0 (zero delay).

Your display will be refreshed at three times the rate of the former \*(Me,
a 300% speed advantage.
As \*(Me climbs the TIME ladder, be as patient as you can while speculating
on whether or not \*(Me will ever reach the \*(Me.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 6b. Bouncing Windows
For these stupid tricks, \*(Me needs \*(AM.

.New
With 3 or 4 \*(TDs visible, pick any window other than the last
and turn idle processes \*F.
Depending on where you applied 'i', sometimes several \*(TDs are bouncing and
sometimes it's like an accordion, as \*(Me tries his best to allocate space.

.New
Set each window's summary lines differently: one with no memory; another with
no states; maybe one with nothing at all, just the message line.
Then hold down 'a' or 'w' and watch a variation on bouncing windows \*(EM
hopping windows.

.New
Display all 4 windows and for each, in turn, set idle processes to \*F.
You've just entered the "extreme bounce" zone.

.\" ......................................................................
.SS 6c. The Big Bird Window
This stupid trick also requires \*(AM.

.New
Display all 4 windows and make sure that 1:Def is the \*(CW.
Then, keep increasing window size until the all the other \*(TDs
are "pushed out of the nest".

When they've all been displaced, toggle between all visible/invisible windows.
Then ponder this:
.br
   is \*(Me fibbing or telling honestly your imposed truth?


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 7. BUGS
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Send bug reports to:
   Albert D\. Cahalan, <albert@users.sf.net>


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 8. HISTORY Former top
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The original top was written by Roger Binns,
based on Branko Lankester's <lankeste@fwi.uva.nl> ps program.

Robert Nation <nation@rocket.sanders.lockheed.com>
adapted it for the proc file system.

Helmut Geyer <Helmut.Geyer@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de>
added support for configurable fields.

Plus many other individuals contributed over the years.


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 9. AUTHOR
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
This entirely new and enhanced replacement was written by:
   Jim / James C. Warner, <warnerjc@worldnet.att.net>
.ig
   ( as a means to learn Linux, can you believe it? )
   ( & he accidentally learned a little groff, too! )
..

With invaluable help from:
   Albert D\. Cahalan, <albert@users.sf.net>
   Craig Small, <csmall@small.dropbear.id.au>

.ig
.rj 2
.B -*-\fR few though they are, some yet believe\fB -*-\fR
.B -*-\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\fRin-the-\fBart\fR-of-programming\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\fB-*-\fR
..

.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH 10. SEE ALSO
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.BR free (1),
.BR ps (1),
.BR uptime (1),
.BR atop (1),
.BR slabtop (1),
.BR vmstat (8),
.BR w (1).


.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.ig
.rj 1
\-*-
.PD
.in -3
Copyright (c) 2002 \*(EM JC Warner & Associates, Ltd.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
with no Front-Cover Texts, no Back-Cover Texts, and with the following
Invariant Sections and any sub-sections therein:
.na
.hy 0
.in +3
STUPID\ TRICKS\ Sampler;
.br
AUTHOR
.in
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled
\(dqGNU Free Documentation License\(dq.
..
.
.\" end: active doc ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.\" ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

.ig
.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH GNU Free Documentation License
Version 1.1, March 2000

Copyright (C) 2000  Free Software Foundation, Inc.
    59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA

Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.

.SS 0. PREAMBLE
The purpose of this License is to make a manual, textbook, or other
written document "free" in the sense of freedom: to assure everyone
the effective freedom to copy and redistribute it, with or without
modifying it, either commercially or noncommercially.  Secondarily,
this License preserves for the author and publisher a way to get
credit for their work, while not being considered responsible for
modifications made by others.

This License is a kind of "copyleft", which means that derivative
works of the document must themselves be free in the same sense.  It
complements the GNU General Public License, which is a copyleft
license designed for free software.

We have designed this License in order to use it for manuals for free
software, because free software needs free documentation: a free
program should come with manuals providing the same freedoms that the
software does.  But this License is not limited to software manuals;
it can be used for any textual work, regardless of subject matter or
whether it is published as a printed book.  We recommend this License
principally for works whose purpose is instruction or reference.

.SS 1. APPLICABILITY AND DEFINITIONS
This License applies to any manual or other work that contains a
notice placed by the copyright holder saying it can be distributed
under the terms of this License.  The "Document", below, refers to any
such manual or work.  Any member of the public is a licensee, and is
addressed as "you".

A "Modified Version" of the Document means any work containing the
Document or a portion of it, either copied verbatim, or with
modifications and/or translated into another language.

A "Secondary Section" is a named appendix or a front-matter section of
the Document that deals exclusively with the relationship of the
publishers or authors of the Document to the Document's overall subject
(or to related matters) and contains nothing that could fall directly
within that overall subject.  (For example, if the Document is in part a
textbook of mathematics, a Secondary Section may not explain any
mathematics.)  The relationship could be a matter of historical
connection with the subject or with related matters, or of legal,
commercial, philosophical, ethical or political position regarding
them.

The "Invariant Sections" are certain Secondary Sections whose titles
are designated, as being those of Invariant Sections, in the notice
that says that the Document is released under this License.

The "Cover Texts" are certain short passages of text that are listed,
as Front-Cover Texts or Back-Cover Texts, in the notice that says that
the Document is released under this License.

A "Transparent" copy of the Document means a machine-readable copy,
represented in a format whose specification is available to the
general public, whose contents can be viewed and edited directly and
straightforwardly with generic text editors or (for images composed of
pixels) generic paint programs or (for drawings) some widely available
drawing editor, and that is suitable for input to text formatters or
for automatic translation to a variety of formats suitable for input
to text formatters.  A copy made in an otherwise Transparent file
format whose markup has been designed to thwart or discourage
subsequent modification by readers is not Transparent.  A copy that is
not "Transparent" is called "Opaque".

Examples of suitable formats for Transparent copies include plain
ASCII without markup, Texinfo input format, LaTeX input format, SGML
or XML using a publicly available DTD, and standard-conforming simple
HTML designed for human modification.  Opaque formats include
PostScript, PDF, proprietary formats that can be read and edited only
by proprietary word processors, SGML or XML for which the DTD and/or
processing tools are not generally available, and the
machine-generated HTML produced by some word processors for output
purposes only.

The "Title Page" means, for a printed book, the title page itself,
plus such following pages as are needed to hold, legibly, the material
this License requires to appear in the title page.  For works in
formats which do not have any title page as such, "Title Page" means
the text near the most prominent appearance of the work's title,
preceding the beginning of the body of the text.

.SS 2. VERBATIM COPYING
You may copy and distribute the Document in any medium, either
commercially or noncommercially, provided that this License, the
copyright notices, and the license notice saying this License applies
to the Document are reproduced in all copies, and that you add no other
conditions whatsoever to those of this License.  You may not use
technical measures to obstruct or control the reading or further
copying of the copies you make or distribute.  However, you may accept
compensation in exchange for copies.  If you distribute a large enough
number of copies you must also follow the conditions in section 3.

You may also lend copies, under the same conditions stated above, and
you may publicly display copies.

.SS 3. COPYING IN QUANTITY
If you publish printed copies of the Document numbering more than 100,
and the Document's license notice requires Cover Texts, you must enclose
the copies in covers that carry, clearly and legibly, all these Cover
Texts: Front-Cover Texts on the front cover, and Back-Cover Texts on
the back cover.  Both covers must also clearly and legibly identify
you as the publisher of these copies.  The front cover must present
the full title with all words of the title equally prominent and
visible.  You may add other material on the covers in addition.
Copying with changes limited to the covers, as long as they preserve
the title of the Document and satisfy these conditions, can be treated
as verbatim copying in other respects.

If the required texts for either cover are too voluminous to fit
legibly, you should put the first ones listed (as many as fit
reasonably) on the actual cover, and continue the rest onto adjacent
pages.

If you publish or distribute Opaque copies of the Document numbering
more than 100, you must either include a machine-readable Transparent
copy along with each Opaque copy, or state in or with each Opaque copy
a publicly-accessible computer-network location containing a complete
Transparent copy of the Document, free of added material, which the
general network-using public has access to download anonymously at no
charge using public-standard network protocols.  If you use the latter
option, you must take reasonably prudent steps, when you begin
distribution of Opaque copies in quantity, to ensure that this
Transparent copy will remain thus accessible at the stated location
until at least one year after the last time you distribute an Opaque
copy (directly or through your agents or retailers) of that edition to
the public.

It is requested, but not required, that you contact the authors of the
Document well before redistributing any large number of copies, to give
them a chance to provide you with an updated version of the Document.

.SS 4. MODIFICATIONS
You may copy and distribute a Modified Version of the Document under
the conditions of sections 2 and 3 above, provided that you release
the Modified Version under precisely this License, with the Modified
Version filling the role of the Document, thus licensing distribution
and modification of the Modified Version to whoever possesses a copy
of it.  In addition, you must do these things in the Modified Version:

.HP 3
.B A\fR.\ Use in the Title Page (and on the covers, if any) a title distinct
from that of the Document, and from those of previous versions (which should,
if there were any, be listed in the History section of the Document).
You may use the same title as a previous version if the original publisher of
that version gives permission.
.HP 3
.B B\fR.\ List on the Title Page, as authors, one or more persons or entities
responsible for authorship of the modifications in the Modified Version,
together with at least five of the principal authors of the Document
(all of its principal authors, if it has less than five).
.HP 3
.B C\fR.\ State on the Title page the name of the publisher of the Modified
Version, as the publisher.
.HP 3
.B D\fR.\ Preserve all the copyright notices of the Document.
.HP 3
.B E\fR.\ Add an appropriate copyright notice for your modifications adjacent
to the other copyright notices.
.HP 3
.B F\fR.\ Include, immediately after the copyright notices, a license notice
giving the public permission to use the Modified Version under the terms of
this License, in the form shown in the Addendum below.
.HP 3
.B G\fR.\ Preserve in that license notice the full lists of Invariant Sections
and required Cover Texts given in the Document's license notice.
.HP 3
.B H\fR.\ Include an unaltered copy of this License.
.HP 3
.B I\fR.\ Preserve the section entitled "History", and its title, and add to it
an item stating at least the title, year, new authors, and publisher of the
Modified Version as given on the Title Page.
If there is no section entitled "History" in the Document, create one stating
the title, year, authors, and publisher of the Document as given on its Title
Page, then add an item describing the Modified Version as stated in the
previous sentence.
.HP 3
.B J\fR.\ Preserve the network location, if any, given in the Document for
public access to a Transparent copy of the Document, and likewise the network
locations given in the Document for previous versions it was based on.
These may be placed in the "History" section.
You may omit a network location for a work that was published at least four
years before the Document itself, or if the original publisher of the version
it refers to gives permission.
.HP 3
.B K\fR.\ In any section entitled "Acknowledgements" or "Dedications", preserve
the section's title, and preserve in the section all the substance and tone of
each of the contributor acknowledgements and/or dedications given therein.
.HP 3
.B L\fR.\ Preserve all the Invariant Sections of the Document, unaltered in their
text and in their titles.
Section numbers or the equivalent are not considered part of the section titles.
.HP 3
.B M\fR.\ Delete any section entitled "Endorsements".
Such a section may not be included in the Modified Version.
.HP 3
.B N\fR.\ Do not retitle any existing section as "Endorsements" or to conflict
in title with any Invariant Section.

.PP
If the Modified Version includes new front-matter sections or
appendices that qualify as Secondary Sections and contain no material
copied from the Document, you may at your option designate some or all
of these sections as invariant.  To do this, add their titles to the
list of Invariant Sections in the Modified Version's license notice.
These titles must be distinct from any other section titles.

You may add a section entitled "Endorsements", provided it contains
nothing but endorsements of your Modified Version by various
parties--for example, statements of peer review or that the text has
been approved by an organization as the authoritative definition of a
standard.

You may add a passage of up to five words as a Front-Cover Text, and a
passage of up to 25 words as a Back-Cover Text, to the end of the list
of Cover Texts in the Modified Version.  Only one passage of
Front-Cover Text and one of Back-Cover Text may be added by (or
through arrangements made by) any one entity.  If the Document already
includes a cover text for the same cover, previously added by you or
by arrangement made by the same entity you are acting on behalf of,
you may not add another; but you may replace the old one, on explicit
permission from the previous publisher that added the old one.

The author(s) and publisher(s) of the Document do not by this License
give permission to use their names for publicity for or to assert or
imply endorsement of any Modified Version.

.SS 5. COMBINING DOCUMENTS
You may combine the Document with other documents released under this
License, under the terms defined in section 4 above for modified
versions, provided that you include in the combination all of the
Invariant Sections of all of the original documents, unmodified, and
list them all as Invariant Sections of your combined work in its
license notice.

The combined work need only contain one copy of this License, and
multiple identical Invariant Sections may be replaced with a single
copy.  If there are multiple Invariant Sections with the same name but
different contents, make the title of each such section unique by
adding at the end of it, in parentheses, the name of the original
author or publisher of that section if known, or else a unique number.
Make the same adjustment to the section titles in the list of
Invariant Sections in the license notice of the combined work.

In the combination, you must combine any sections entitled "History"
in the various original documents, forming one section entitled
"History"; likewise combine any sections entitled "Acknowledgements",
and any sections entitled "Dedications".  You must delete all sections
entitled "Endorsements."

.SS 6. COLLECTIONS OF DOCUMENTS
You may make a collection consisting of the Document and other documents
released under this License, and replace the individual copies of this
License in the various documents with a single copy that is included in
the collection, provided that you follow the rules of this License for
verbatim copying of each of the documents in all other respects.

You may extract a single document from such a collection, and distribute
it individually under this License, provided you insert a copy of this
License into the extracted document, and follow this License in all
other respects regarding verbatim copying of that document.

.SS 7. AGGREGATION WITH INDEPENDENT WORKS
A compilation of the Document or its derivatives with other separate
and independent documents or works, in or on a volume of a storage or
distribution medium, does not as a whole count as a Modified Version
of the Document, provided no compilation copyright is claimed for the
compilation.  Such a compilation is called an "aggregate", and this
License does not apply to the other self-contained works thus compiled
with the Document, on account of their being thus compiled, if they
are not themselves derivative works of the Document.

If the Cover Text requirement of section 3 is applicable to these
copies of the Document, then if the Document is less than one quarter
of the entire aggregate, the Document's Cover Texts may be placed on
covers that surround only the Document within the aggregate.
Otherwise they must appear on covers around the whole aggregate.

.SS 8. TRANSLATION
Translation is considered a kind of modification, so you may
distribute translations of the Document under the terms of section 4.
Replacing Invariant Sections with translations requires special
permission from their copyright holders, but you may include
translations of some or all Invariant Sections in addition to the
original versions of these Invariant Sections.  You may include a
translation of this License provided that you also include the
original English version of this License.  In case of a disagreement
between the translation and the original English version of this
License, the original English version will prevail.

.SS 9. TERMINATION
You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Document except
as expressly provided for under this License.  Any other attempt to
copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Document is void, and will
automatically terminate your rights under this License.  However,
parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under this
License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such
parties remain in full compliance.

.SS 10. FUTURE REVISIONS OF THIS LICENSE
The Free Software Foundation may publish new, revised versions
of the GNU Free Documentation License from time to time.  Such new
versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may
differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.  See
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/.

Each version of the License is given a distinguishing version number.
If the Document specifies that a particular numbered version of this
License "or any later version" applies to it, you have the option of
following the terms and conditions either of that specified version or
of any later version that has been published (not as a draft) by the
Free Software Foundation.  If the Document does not specify a version
number of this License, you may choose any version ever published (not
as a draft) by the Free Software Foundation.

.SS ADDENDUM: How to use this License for your documents
To use this License in a document you have written, include a copy of
the License in the document and put the following copyright and
license notices just after the title page:

.IP "" 3
Copyright (c)  YEAR  YOUR NAME.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the
terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version
published by the Free Software Foundation;\ \ with the Invariant Sections being
LIST THEIR TITLES, with the Front-Cover Texts being LIST, and with the
Back-Cover Texts being LIST.
A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU
Free Documentation License".

If you have no Invariant Sections, write "with no Invariant Sections"
instead of saying which ones are invariant.  If you have no
Front-Cover Texts, write "no Front-Cover Texts" instead of
"Front-Cover Texts being LIST"; likewise for Back-Cover Texts.

If your document contains nontrivial examples of program code, we
recommend releasing these examples in parallel under your choice of
free software license, such as the GNU General Public License,
to permit their use in free software.

.\" ----------------------------------------------------------------------
.SH \fRend of\fB GNU Free Documentation License
.IP ""
.PP
..
.\" end: gfdl license ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.\" ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||