How to Make Top Command More Useful By Sorting Processes by CPU Usage

The top command is a powerful tool that provides a quick overview of system performance and resource usage. It’s similar to Task Manager on Windows and Activity Monitor on Mac, displaying CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, and other critical system information. Unfortunately, by default, top command does not sort processes by CPU usage, which is critical for detecting faulty processes or monitoring resource usage. In this guide, we’ll explain how you can customize top to sort processes by CPU usage so that you can get more meaningful data from this powerful command.

How to Sort Top Command Process by CPU Usage

The most straightforward way to sort processes by CPU usage with the top command is to add the -u flag to the command, like this:

top -u

Adding the -u flag sorts processes by CPU usage, with the most CPU-intensive processes appearing at the top of the list. Check out the example below:

top run sorted by CPU priority

You can also use the -o flag to sort by a specific column, such as processor (cpu), and then use an editor to sort the column. Here’s an example:

top -o cpu

Sort top processes by processor

If you don’t prefer using the top command, you can use htop instead. Htop offers more features than top but requires additional installation effort.

Benefits of Sorting Processes by CPU Usage with Top Command

  • Provides quick and easy understanding of system performance and resource usage
  • Allows you to detect faulty processes or resource-intensive applications
  • Helpful for monitoring CPU, memory usage, disk activity, and other important system information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the top command?

Top is a utility tool that reports on the CPU usage, memory, and other critical system information of the Unix-like operating systems. It provides a convenient command-line alternative to Activity Monitor on Mac and Task Manager on Windows.

How do I sort processes based on memory usage?

You can sort processes based on memory usage by adding the -m flag to the top command like this:

top -m

What is htop?

Htop is an improved version of the top command, offering more features and information than the top command. However, it requires additional installation effort.

Can I use the top command on Windows?

No, the top command is a Unix-like utility tool and does not have a Windows equivalent.

Final Thoughts

The top command is an essential tool for monitoring system performance and resource usage. By sorting processes by CPU usage, you can get a more accurate and useful representation of your system’s health. We hope this guide helps you understand how to sort processes by CPU usage with the top command. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

Hubspot Service Hub review 2024: a comprehensive platform

When it comes to customer support operations, HubSpot Service Hub is an all-encompassing customer service platform that is meant to...
Read more
When players on Windows 11 or 10 try to log in to Steam, they may get the error code E87....
Users of Windows 11 or 10 may find it frustrating to deal with the error number 147-0 in Microsoft Office....
The Microsoft Store is an important part of the Windows operating system because it gives users a single place to...
It can be hard to find the right balance between usefulness, durability, and cost when it comes to kitchen storage....
Both AirDroid and Vysor are well-known tools that help Android users control their devices and mirror them. One of the...