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Learn How UNIX Multitasks

BlueVoodoo writes "On UNIX systems, each system and end-user task is contained within a process. Learn how to control processes and use a number of commands to peer into your system."

160 comments

  1. exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow! ps, top, sleep, kill, PIDs? This is some pretty groundbreaking stuff here!

    1. Re:exciting by empaler · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Wasn't front page so no whinging.

    2. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Don't forget to set the I_WANT_A_BROKEN_PS environment variable!

    3. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not everyone knows this stuff. Were you born with a Unix manual preloaded into your ROM? I wasn't.. my manufacturer thought that VMS would be the next big thing :(.

      Maybe this will help some newbies make better use of their Linux systems. If you can only use the GUI, then Linux isn't much better than Windows for most tasks. It's when you learn to use the shell properly that it really starts to kick ass.

    4. Re:exciting by pedalman · · Score: 1

      FTFA:

      "If it helps, you can think of a process as its own sovereign nation, with borders, resources, and gross domestic product."

      Sounds like he is trying to teach UNIX to a bunch of Economics majors.

      --
      Friends don't let friends line-dance.
    5. Re:exciting by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

      Now, that wasn't very nice.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    6. Re:exciting by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 4, Funny

      I especially liked this one:

      $ ls -l /usr/bin/top
      -r-xr-sr-x 1 root tty 19388 Mar 20 2005 /usr/bin/wall

      Wow. That's a neat trick.

    7. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Haha, but it does raise a question. Does the wall executable on AIX not only broadcast to logged users? Conversely, why would someone set gid on the wall command when the executable bit is already set for all users?

      Any AIX gurus?

    8. Re:exciting by cortana · · Score: 1

      I thought the setgid bit on the executable causes it to run with 'tty' as its gid; which presumably gives it the privilige to write to the various tty devices under /dev.

    9. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, I checked on a FBSD box where /dev/tty is 600. My linux boxes all have /dev/tty set to mode 666.

      Curiously /usr/bin/write is SGID TTY on every machine I checked.

      Is there any reason for the relaxed /dev/tty permissions on linux?

    10. Re:exciting by SL+Baur · · Score: 1

      It looks like a distro bug. Your tty should not be world writable for security reasons -- on some terminals it's possible to blast an escape sequence at it that it will use as input as if the user typed it in. (See the man pages for write and/or wall they both should filter their input to prevent this).

    11. Re:exciting by Matt+Perry · · Score: 4, Funny

      Don't forget to set the I_WANT_A_BROKEN_PS [rt.com] environment variable!
      POSIX_ME_HARDER would have been a much better variable name.
      --
      Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
    12. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe I can dig out my old customized PS sometime. ps -tx actually did something useful there.

    13. Re:exciting by cortana · · Score: 3, Informative

      Bear in mind that the various devices may do different things on different operating systems.

      On Linux, /dev/tty refers to the controlling terminal of the process that opened it. Therefore there is no reason to restrict its permissions... in fact to do so would prevent processes from writing to the terminal (if they wanted to do so directly to read a password, for instance, rather than relying on reading from stdin). /dev/tty[0-9]+ are the actual virtual consoles that one logs in on. They are owned by root:root until someone logs in on one whereupon they become owned by $user:tty. /dev/pts/[0-9]+ are pseudo terminals that are created by a terminal emulator such as xterm, or a remote login server such as ssh. They are also owned by $user:tty

    14. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > looks like a distro bug. Your tty should not be world writable for security reasons

      I just checked on 4 separate linux machines, 4 different distros and all had /dev/tty world writable.

    15. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      FBSD has ttyv[0-f] and behaves similarly to linux, although /dev/tty doesn't show in a 'ls /dev/' (guess r+w are intercepted). Yet /dev/tty is still 600 $user:tty on FBSD, and why is /usr/bin/write sgid tty on every machine regardless of /dev/tty perms?

      Curiouser and curiouser.

    16. Re:exciting by badc0ffee · · Score: 1

      Forking spawn of shell -- new insult inutility.

      --
      1011 1010 1101 1100 0000 1111 1111 1110 1110
    17. Re:exciting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Parent has been modded funny, and rightly so. But even funnier is that the joke has a true origin. I once read an interview with Richard Stallman where he mentioned POSIX_ME_HARDER as either (I forget exactly how it went) the original proposed name for a variable which was later given the more polite name of POSIXLY_CORRECT, or else POSIX_ME_HARDER was actually used as a more emphatic form of POSIXLY_CORRECT.

      I don't know if Stallman actually invented the term, but let no one say he has no sense of humor.

    18. Re:exciting by Matt+Perry · · Score: 1

      You are correct. You can find the interview here: http://www.softpanorama.org/People/Stallman/interv iews.shtml

      --
      Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
  2. Woop-tee-doo. by McDutchie · · Score: 1, Insightful

    It's a basic primer on UNIX job control. Whee. Not that it isn't well done or useful to the target audience -- but how is this 'news', never mind 'stuff that matters'?

    1. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by billcopc · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's called "here's a slashdotting to boost my pagerank". Whenever you see useless tripe on the internet, chances are it's designed to generate idiot traffic and/or ad revenue. Thank Google for this glut.

      --
      -Billco, Fnarg.com
    2. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by skoaldipper · · Score: 1

      but how is this 'news', never mind 'stuff that matters'?
      It matters to us *nix developers with a conscience. Just remember fellas, this is what happens to all spawned PIDs in a chroot jail. Please, think of the children. And, there really is a spoon!
      --
      I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
    3. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      You should have said NSFW. It really doesn't matter for me but if someone at work has a IT dude with nothing better to do looking at log files for the heck of it that person could get into trouble ;-). Course if hes reading slashdot he or she is already in trouble already lol

    4. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by skoaldipper · · Score: 1

      My apologies. Sometimes I forget even my own standards when in the cartoon realm. It's a fork and a spoon making snu snu for those at work.

      --
      I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
    5. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by ukemike · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's a basic primer on UNIX job control. Whee. Not that it isn't well done or useful to the target audience -- but how is this 'news', never mind 'stuff that matters'?
      "Looks like someone has a case of the mondays!"

      I thought that the slashdot community was supportive of people migrating away from windoze to the linux world. TFA covers things that are not obvious to people that don't have *nix experience. It was a nicely written article. It might spur discussion on further basic knowledge needed to deal with linux. The whole community of "nerds" includes slide-rules to slashdot. Not every nerd is a sysadmin. To me this was useful. I already had learned 75% but had forgotten some and a bit was new and might be handy. That is "stuff that matters" to me. If nothing else cranky sysadmins, when posed with a question about something this basic, could roll their eyes condescendingly and give a link to this handy page.

      The better question is why is this posted under "devcelopers"?
      --
      -- QED
    6. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      IN the developers section, no less.

      It pretty much confirms my opinion of the average slashdotter as a know-nothing know-it-all.

    7. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by 644bd346996 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      I thought that the slashdot community was supportive of people migrating away from windoze to the linux world. We are supportive of people migrating away from windows. The slashdot community has done a lot to spread ubuntu. But none of that makes TFA news. This is 'stuff that matters', but I think if you've gotten to the point where TFA's content is helpful, you will already know how to find that information. When I want to have a lively discussion about a "dead-horse" historical issue, even one related to the design of my computer's OS, I will seek it out. Elsewhere.

      If this topic had been brought up as an "ask slashdot" question, it would probably have yielded a far more interesting discussion.
    8. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I thought that the slashdot community was supportive of people migrating away from windoze to the linux world. TFA covers things that are not obvious to people that don't have *nix experience.

      It also covers things that people simply don't need to know. Start up Ubuntu (or whatever) and run the system monitor, just like in Windows, to kill processes. That's about all you need to know!

      Unless someone is a hardcore tech geek on Windows (snicker) they aren't going to need to know anything like this to move from Windows to Linux. The information they need is more like "How do I open this file that I worked with using program X on Windows?" Of course, a fair amount of the time is "you don't" like in the case of EPS files; you can import them as a graphic into OO.o, which sometimes works depending on the complexity of the file.

      But I digress. The point is that this is supposed to be news for nerds and the fact that Unix has process management utilities is not news. People who need to know this kind of shit should be able to find it handily on the 'net; if they are not smart enough to do so, they are highly encouraged to get a book on the subject. (And maybe one about finding things with search engines, too, since this information is everywhere.)

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    9. Re:Woop-tee-doo. by The_Wilschon · · Score: 1

      "Looks like someone has a case of the mondays!"
      Could you send me your name, address, floorplan, daily schedule, and also mail me a copy of your housekey, please? I once swore to kill anyone who ever actually said that. Especially if they said it at a time when I actually did have a "case" of the "mondays". \end{tonguecheek*}
      --
      SIGSEGV caught, terminating

      wait... not that kind of sig.
  3. Next... by ari_j · · Score: 4, Funny

    Learn how UNIX stores files. This revolutionary new article will show you how to use ls and cd, and you will walk away with a complete understanding of how files are stored. More magic demystified, indeed!

    1. Re:Next... by jimstapleton · · Score: 1

      What? No 'touch'? I take it that's the polictially correct article?

      --
      34486853790
      Connection too slow for X forwarding? Try "ssh -CX user@host"
    2. Re:Next... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Looks like they might need a tutorial on ls...

      The setuid bit can be set using chmod u+s. setuid permissions look like this:
       
      $ ls -l /usr/bin/top
      -rwsr-xr-x 1 root wheel 83088 Mar 20 2005 top
       
      The setgid bit can be set using chmod g+s:
       
      $ ls -l /usr/bin/top
      -r-xr-sr-x 1 root tty 19388 Mar 20 2005 /usr/bin/wall
    3. Re:Next... by alex4u2nv · · Score: 0

      Followed by, Now that you know how to use UNIX, refer to the following additional articles and sources: "Discover TLDP;" "Bash Programming;" "bash Windows;" and last but not least "Open Source networks and Slashdot -- News for nerds. Stuff that matters."

    4. Re:Next... by drinkypoo · · Score: 1, Funny

      We had to eliminate that command because it was giving pedophiles ideas. From now on, touch will be replaced with echo redirected into a file. Just redirect nothing onto the end of a file to update the mtime... Won't someone think of the children?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  4. know your sysadmin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    alias renice 'echo Renice\? You must mean kill -9.; kill -9 \!*'

  5. What the flying f*ck? by stratjakt · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Ok, I knew /. was getting less and less computer literate.

    But if you don't fucking know basic UNIX process control, don't talk about computers, or IT, k?

    Seriously, this isnt even Computers 101. This is the bullshit you're expected to know to take Computers 101.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    1. Re:What the flying f*ck? by NeoPaladin394 · · Score: 5, Insightful
      This is an article in a series (labeled Introductory to Intermediate) designed to introduce to the O/S. The first article in the series talks about how to use find! You can't point at an O'Reilly book and call Stupid because you know what it talks about. The article is well written and explains processes perfectly for the intended audience, and not everyone is born with the intrinsic knowledge of how every O/S in the world works. Readers on this site want a world of O/S choices, but are so willing to bash an article that will help accomplish just that? And just because it gives a quick, sentence overview of PS and LS? Unbelievable.

      The article may or may not belong on the front page, but claiming someone's illiterate for not knowing stuff like this, especially if they were in an Apple or MS shop? Heaven forbid.

    2. Re:What the flying f*ck? by TheNetAvenger · · Score: 1

      The article may or may not belong on the front page, but claiming someone's illiterate for not knowing stuff like this, especially if they were in an Apple or MS shop? Heaven forbid

      Um, I don't care if they are in a DOS/Novell shop. This is basic stuff and are also concepts that have relevance in all OSes.

      As for Apple or MS shop? Ok, Apple uses a BSD interface to a Mach kernel and is very much a *nix architecture. In the MS Shop, NT also includes a full BSD subsystem that is used for running *nix applicaitons on servers and also for extending the interoperability between Windows and non Windows environments.

      If anyone hires someone that doesn't understand basic 'computing principles', they are hiring computer 'illiterate' techs. PERIOD.

    3. Re:What the flying f*ck? by NeoPaladin394 · · Score: 1

      If anyone hires someone that doesn't understand basic 'computing principles', they are hiring computer 'illiterate' techs. PERIOD.

      I was referring to the specific O/S implementation details outlined in the article, not the basic freshman year, "What is a process?" My fault for not being more specific in the closer, but I still stand by my statement.

      If you hire someone who is supposed to be working with Windows/*NIX interoperability and hadn't a clue how UNIX works, then you have a problem and, yes, the new guy is illiterate for the task he is given. If you hire a developer to make a .NET application for a specific Windows architecture, then I wouldn't consider the user illiterate for not knowing the processes and binary code Unix launches on startup. At least, not in the incompetent sense that the word is being used here.

    4. Re:What the flying f*ck? by backbyter · · Score: 1

      I agree that the article is beneath intermediate and advanced users of *nix .

      As a noob, *nix illiterate, etc., I appreciated the article. I've had some past experience on a *nix box. I know very little. Of course, I didn't know a whole lot of JCL before I started working with mainframes either. I wouldn't expect anyone not familiar with a mainframe to immediately know the error codes produced by the system or what an initiator is either.

      Like a previous posted has pointed out, due to the slashdot communities love of *nix you're getting windows converts here to this site. You can either help them along or drive them back to MS loving hands. I'm sure some of the converts are pretty sharp, and just might become the next big thing for *nix adoption by the mainstream.

      I think most of the younger generation couldn't tell you how to list a directory using Windows command line. Why? They haven't had to. Since there's still a lot of work in *nix that can only be done by the command line, I say keep on posting articles like this. Maybe put them in a "Linux noobs" section, but at least help the prospective converts.

    5. Re:What the flying f*ck? by TheNetAvenger · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Ok, agree with one exception.

      If you hire someone who is supposed to be working with Windows/*NIX interoperability and hadn't a clue how UNIX works, then you have a problem and, yes, the new guy is illiterate for the task he is given. If you hire a developer to make a .NET application for a specific Windows architecture, then I wouldn't consider the user illiterate for not knowing the processes and binary code Unix launches on startup. At least, not in the incompetent sense that the word is being used here.


      I am more demanding than this on developers and techs. I don't care if the project is 100% MS and .NET, if they have little knowledge outside of the specific job they are completing then their creativity is severly limited and fundamental insights they should just have are not there.

      I have worked with many projects like ASP and .NET web development and when the develoeprs have no understanding of OSes and even *nix concepts they are nothing more than monkeys cranking out code that is dictated to them.

      Another problem with such closed knowledge is even in little things, like in the example of Web development. I 'inherited' a tech that was supposed to be a great Web developer(MS tools), and when parts of the project were moved to Linux servers, the person literally did not understand why upper & lower case mixed reference tags were failing. And as scary as that sounds it very common.

      But this is just like my personal stand on people in the OSS *nix world that have fallen so far away from MS that they fail to understand the newer MS OSes and what things are done right in the NT architecture that *nix has never done very well at. Techs will mislead clients because they don't understand 'easier' concepts that other people are using that came from the MS world even though they could be implemented on *nix.

      This is also especially true for OSS *nix developers, if they don't know what else is out there, they could be recreating wheels that companies like MS, Sun, etc have already solved. And sadly I find this a lot even in some very well known and good OSS projects. There is something to be said for learning from your competition or people that have gone before you.

      Maybe it is more like the difference between knowledge and understanding.

    6. Re:What the flying f*ck? by Vellmont · · Score: 1


      and when parts of the project were moved to Linux servers, the person literally did not understand why upper & lower case mixed reference tags were failing. And as scary as that sounds it very common.


      Scary? Not really. One platform has different quirks than another. The linux world is by and large case sensitive, so people have learned to instinctively think about case. The Windows world isn't, so people are less inclined to think about case. It only takes about a minute to explain the case sensitive issue.

      No, what's really scary is people who are just inherently bad programmers. Until you've come across someone like that, you have little appreciation for how bad it can get. Miss identifying a case sensitivity issue is really nothing compared to reading someones complete mess and constantly wondering "why did he do it like that?", or "wow, that's one of the biggest security holes I've ever seen." The difference is the guy who doesn't think about case sensitivity can be re-trained in minutes. Bad programmers are just inherently bad programmers and there's little hope for them.

      --
      AccountKiller
    7. Re:What the flying f*ck? by TheNetAvenger · · Score: 1

      The Windows world isn't, so people are less inclined to think about case. It only takes about a minute to explain the case sensitive issue.


      The irony is that the programmer was using a freaking case sensitive language, and still didn't get it the first time it was explained to him.

      This is part of the basic understanding I was talking about. If someone can't think outside a box enough to go, "Hmm mayber the OS FS is case sensitive," then they can't be fixed.

  6. please, hepl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I get
    "ps: Command not found"

    What do to? Heeeeeelp.

    1. Re:please, hepl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, well I get

      "'ps' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
      operable program or batch file."

    2. Re:please, hepl by EricTheGreen · · Score: 4, Funny

      Try this instead:

      "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe" http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

      Hope this hepls....

    3. Re:please, hepl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ordered in increasing levels of system modification...

      PsTools (not exactly the same, but you can rename "PsList" to "ps" and get much the same information, and the other "PsTools" function similarly to programs described in the article)
      Cygwin
      Ubuntu.

    4. Re:please, hepl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now, why are you trying to install a true anti-viral program on such a troll's system? It should be obvious that the trolls system MUST be loaded lots of viruses. After all, where would such stupid verbage come from?

    5. Re:please, hepl by RafaelGCPP · · Score: 1

      D:\Documents and Settings\y1ry>"c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
      O sistema não pode encontrar o caminho especificado.


      Damn! My OS uses another language!!

      --
      "There is always an easy solution to every human problem -- neat, plausible, and wrong."
      H. L. Mencken
    6. Re:please, hepl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      After all, where would such stupid verbage come from?

      You're hired.

    7. Re:please, hepl by EricTheGreen · · Score: 1

      Mau. Muito mau

      ([grin])

    8. Re:please, hepl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Install PowerShell. :-)

    9. Re:please, hepl by donaldm · · Score: 1

      Hmm! the old "Command not found". Well you can try and set your PATH variable but unfortunately that is for more advanced users, so keep reading the IBM articles.

      --
      There ain't no such thing as proprietary standards only proprietary formats. Standards are by definition open.
  7. Incredible! by Wuhao · · Score: 5, Funny

    With several businesses now owning their own Unix mainframes, and with some futurists speculating that hobbyists may one day have full-fledged Unix systems in their basements, a detailed understanding of Unix operation -- including its intricacies, like these "processes" -- becomes increasingly important, even for people not charged with the operation of one of these computational goliaths. I for one plan to study these "processes" carefully.

    1. Re:Incredible! by PPH · · Score: 1

      I must be behind the times. All I have is half a dozen or so PCs and laptops running something called Linux. Not a mainframe in sight. And I don't even have a basment to keep them in!

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    2. Re:Incredible! by 0racle · · Score: 3, Funny

      Na, not behind the times, just missing something.

      It's called a sense of humour.

      --
      "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
    3. Re:Incredible! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's crazy talk. Why would anyone want their own computer? Computers are big, expensive, difficult to program and costly to maintain. What could a home computer possibly be capable of that would justify its own expense?

      In the future, we will be far too busy living in glass cities and travelling to distant planets to be bothered with computers, even if they do have this "Unix" thing on them.

    4. Re:Incredible! by Wuhao · · Score: 3, Funny

      I envision there one day being a vast network of computers, accessible to all, containing limitless mountains of data -- and on this network, the common man will finally be able to communicate with his kinsmen worldwide and transcend all borders. Finally, free of the tyranny of governments and liberated from the logistics of contemporary communication, Mankind shall at last realize his full artistic potential. No more need a man hide his drawings of the horribly mutated, furry Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk engaged in sadomasochistic intercourse as they eject feces from their hermaphroditic nipples; it shall be available to all, stumbled across by those just trying to fi--

      You know, now that I think about it, you're right. If you can get some torches and pitchforks together, I'll rally the townspeople, and we can storm Bell Labs.

  8. Next week on Slashdot... by mypalmike · · Score: 1, Redundant

    An in-depth look at Linux filesystems. Specifically, how to make use of the mysterious "ls" command.

    --
    There are 0x40000000 types of people: those who understand 32-bit IEEE 754 floating point, and those who don't.
    1. Re:Next week on Slashdot... by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      For a lot of modern desktop Linux users, who think that KDE or Gnome are the 'standard unix interface,' an article on ls would probably be quite eyeopening, not to mention incomprehensible.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  9. Use the Firehose! by 644bd346996 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you think this article is stupid and an insult to your technical prowess, go to the firehose and vote it down.

    1. Re:Use the Firehose! by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Funny

      Mod Parent Up! Vote Article Down!

      --
      This guy's the limit!
    2. Re:Use the Firehose! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I love it... I think the section "Fucking Around" is especially useful...

      Oh never mind... I misread it...

    3. Re:Use the Firehose! by jellomizer · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Yea you are a big man now. You read an article and you understood it before you read the article. So you feel inclined to instult the fact that some people may not know this.
      Yes this is Basic Unix Command Line suff. But a lot of Unix users don't go beyond typing the command to run the program. Forking, Piping, Scripting, is more then what they really use. An some of the times these people who don't understand this are actually smarter then most of us. Say a Physicist who uses Unix to test their math or run complex simulations. Also there are a lot of people using Linux/Unix who were never formally taught how to use it. So they stick in the GUI, or Find and install programs that a simple small script can acomplish. I know you want to do your "I am an Alpha Geek" while thumping your chest. But if an article gets posted and you really don't care, then don't read it and move along. Because getting an article on information that you already know isn't a big deal, this is far more mature then say the latest Cool PC Mods.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    4. Re:Use the Firehose! by Vellmont · · Score: 4, Insightful


      If you think this article is stupid and an insult to your technical prowess, go to the firehose and vote it down.

      Not everyone on Slashdot is at the same level as everyone else. While I've known all the stuff in the article for 10-12 years, I'm certain there's a significant number of people here that have no idea about process forking, or what the init process is.

      --
      AccountKiller
    5. Re:Use the Firehose! by Fezmid · · Score: 2

      Yeah, but should we really have basic articles like that on this site? Maybe we should have an algebra primer? 2x+4=12, show me how to solve for x. Or using your physicist example, should we have an article describing the coefficient of friction for us? No, because it doesn't really fit with the site.

      Nobody's saying that the article isn't useful, but it's not a /. article.

    6. Re:Use the Firehose! by clintp · · Score: 1

      And for a better introduction to process creation, I offer:

      Mr. Peabody Explains fork()

      --
      Get off my lawn.
    7. Re:Use the Firehose! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      I sent it to two teams I work with. I had recently made a presentation that explains some similar things, and this comes at it from a different angle. I think it was very useful.

      (Myself, I know it all, but not everyone does)

    8. Re:Use the Firehose! by writermike · · Score: 1


      If you think this article is stupid and an insult to your technical prowess, go to the firehose and vote it down.

      Not everyone on Slashdot is at the same level as everyone else. While I've known all the stuff in the article for 10-12 years, I'm certain there's a significant number of people here that have no idea about process forking, or what the init process is. Thank you.

      I primarily work on Windows-based systems having only touched on *nix-based systems here and there and even though I run a Linux laptop, I still only have a basic understanding of how it all works.

      Based upon so many of the comments here, though, it's apparent that one simply must KNOW this information before coming to this site. Stuff that matters, indeed, but that stuff better be for l33ts.

      m
      --
      If Nalgene water bottles are outlawed, only outlaws will have Nalgene water bottles.
    9. Re:Use the Firehose! by xSauronx · · Score: 1, Redundant

      i dont know about it all....ive read some about it, but i dont expect it posted to slashdot. i expect *news* and this place gets worse and worse. if someone needs to know these things; theyll have a book already, or be googling for it.

      whats next, samba configs for file sharing on a LAN?

      --
      By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth. -- George Carlin
    10. Re:Use the Firehose! by Gilmoure · · Score: 1

      Alpha Geek Chest Beater is right. Slashdot is not the place for articles on how to use an OS (even if most people here already know this). Slashdot's about how expensive new Apple gear is and Windows bashing. Get with the program!

      --
      I drank what? -- Socrates
    11. Re:Use the Firehose! by Rudolf · · Score: 1

      If you think this article is stupid and an insult to your technical prowess, go to the firehose and vote it down.

      Can you really do that after it's on the front page? Does it get yanked if enough votes are cast against it?

    12. Re:Use the Firehose! by ACORN_USER · · Score: 1

      If you're that clueless, you probably haven't even got a unix platform to play on yet. And if you don't have a unix platform to play on yet, you should probably have a read through 'unix for dummies' first.

      It's like publishing a white paper on 'uses of "the", "it" and "because" in the English language.' Kind of useless unless you already have a rudimentry understanding of the language and definately not the place to start.
      'Tottaallly Poooointless (in the voice of Dr. Cox from Scrubs)" if you have already studied some English grammer.

    13. Re:Use the Firehose! by fusion9290991 · · Score: 1

      Reading some of the negative comments here, it reaffirms why it took such a long time for me to switch to Linux. All those Alpha-Geeks trying to outl33t each other.

      *Yawn*.

      I take comfort in the fact that Alpha Geeks they may be, but my dick will always be bigger than theirs :)

      --
      remember to loot and pillage before you burn!
    14. Re:Use the Firehose! by kaoshin · · Score: 1

      I would agree with you if this wasn't posted under developers. This isn't universal information, but is considered prerequisite for Linux development. This info is more appropriate for the Slash homepage and for those who are too lazy to delve into articles or read through books like LPI exam cram for the 101 exam which include this info. Not to sound arrogant, but LOL if you are an real developer putting together code for Unix platforms without the fundamentals.

  10. random? by flynt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is it just me, or is this one of the most random Slashdot articles ever posted? A link to Chapter 8 of an IBM manual on Unix development, really?

  11. They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by Kadin2048 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sadly though, there are probably people graduating from "computer science" programs who only know of 'processes' as something you get after pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del and clicking on the "Task Manager" button.

    You're vastly overestimating the CS curriculum, at least at my local State uni, if you think that UNIX anything is taught in the 100-level courses.

    --
    "Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
    1. Re:They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by chrism238 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That may all be true, but you don't graduate with just the 100-level courses!

    2. Re:They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fortunately, my school uses gnat for the first tier of programming and gcc / javac for the second tier (the canonical form of the submitted assignment must run on the reference system in the lab, but you're free to develop using your own set of the GNU toolchain). I've had one higher-level course where the professor mandated Visual C for submitted assignments, but I still did all the work in GCC and stopped by the lab to compile the programs before class (since it was all just straight C programs with text or file I/O).

    3. Re:They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can't speak for everyone, but at my school (SUNY Buffalo), all of the CS labs run Linux and your first lab in Intro I is configuring your user account with the command line. Submission of assignments is done via a command-line script and you have to ssh to one of the CS servers to read class anouncements. Maybe not all CS programs require knowledge of UNIX, but some certainly do.

    4. Re:They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by loconet · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think one of the big problems is not so much the lack of content offered in the classroom. The bigger problem I see IMHO is the lack of interest from students as a result of a poor introduction into what UNIX really is and how it will come to play in their careers (ie: beyond their gaming desktop).

      I have recently gone back to school to finish up my CS degree after having worked in the industry for several years and I'm surprised at the ignorance of UNIX/Linux's usefulness from people who have already taken a UNIX/Linux course in my school. It seems profs are jumping straight into bash scripting without properly introducing what UNIX really is, what the difference between UNIX and Linux is, how it is used today, why it is important to learn it, how it is different than Windows, the philosophy behind UNIX, how it is useful as a tool, etc. All students are being exposed to is a command line and some scripting. No context in the technology whatsoever. It is then not surprising that students come out of those courses thinking UNIX and Linux are useless since Windows/Macs do it better, easier. This results in them erasing whatever little knowledge they acquired as soon as exams are done with.

      --
      [alk]
    5. Re:They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by chrism238 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Perhaps "The Art of Unix Programming" should just become required reading?

    6. Re:They don't know how to spell "UNIX".... by 644bd346996 · · Score: 1

      When all the upper level courses are taught in Java, it really becomes a moot point. At my university, all the non-java classes are at the 100 and 200 level.

  12. birds and the bees? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    it was like taking health ed all over again

  13. WTF? "Daddy, where did that process come from?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's what I get for R(ing)TFA. :-P

    The only redeeming feature about this crap is that it wasn't posted by Roland Piquapaille.

    Meh.

  14. Gee Whizzes by helixcode123 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have mod points, but I thought I'd post instead: Look genuises. Not every slashdot reader is a Unix guru. I think this is an excellent article and does a great job explaining some of the core workings of Unix/Linux. I've been fortunate enough to be using Unix since 1981 and I actually enjoyed reading the article. It offers our Windows-centric Slashdot breatheren a nice overview.

    --

    In a band? Use WheresTheGig for free.

    1. Re:Gee Whizzes by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 1

      It offers our Windows-centric Slashdot breatheren a nice overview.
      I agree. I know I've always wanted to explain the concept of SIGSEGV to Microsoft's development group.
      --
      No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
    2. Re:Gee Whizzes by pionzypher · · Score: 1

      And if I had mod points, I'd use them to mod up instead of replying.
       
        Great, so some people are already intimately familiar with processes on unix. Not everyone is. I thought this was a technology/nerd/geek site... This seems a much better alternative than other slownewsday articles.... what did Stallman have for breakfast? Dvorak's mad at css again.... etc.

      --
      I'll believe in corporations having personhood when Texas executes one... - advocate_one
    3. Re:Gee Whizzes by mark(florida) · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      "Not every slashdot reader is a Unix guru." Probably a lot less than you think.
    4. Re:Gee Whizzes by squiggleslash · · Score: 3, Insightful

      While there will always be space for newcomers, there's a standard underneath it becomes somewhat pointless and adds needlessly to the signal to junk/noise ratio to consider adding an article. A newcomer's guide to Unix is one thing, but a brief overview of a small part of the system which will be useless to the majority of Slashdot readers, and will be too lacking in context for newcomers, fits well below that standard.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    5. Re:Gee Whizzes by loconet · · Score: 4, Funny

      It offers our Windows-centric Slashdot breatheren a nice overview

      John and Mark don't have net access on Mondays so they wouldn't have been able to read this article anyways.

      --
      [alk]
    6. Re:Gee Whizzes by rinkjustice · · Score: 1

      This article belongs on digg, not here on Slashdot. That's why I frequent this site more than theirs - to avoid newb stuff like this.

  15. Digg? by loconet · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did I mistype the URL? No, it does say slashdot.org. Odd... I should go back to bed.

    --
    [alk]
    1. Re:Digg? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  16. Wow. by Kadin2048 · · Score: 1

    Just in case we needed another piece of evidence showing how much IBM has changed over the years...

    I can't believe I just read the phrase "Headlamps on! To the bat cave!" in an IBM technical publication.

    I'm not saying it's bad, in fact the article is a much more amusing read than I thought it was going to be, but ... seriously, from IBM?

    --
    "Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
  17. But think of the children!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Alright, alright, everyone's all uppity about how everyone should know process controls and all that stuff but isn't anyone thinking of our highly decorated MCSE brethren? Think of the children!

    As a post-lesson extra credit bonus, after learning about ps, top, etc. they can try the commenting command named after the GWBASIC "REM" which stood for remark. The command you want is "sudo rm / -rf" which tells the machine to go into superuser ('cause you're a really super guy) and make remarks with a slash (remember, DOS uses forward slashes, unix uses backslashes) and the last part will note that the remarks you're making are going to be Really Funny!

    Now try that for extra credit!

  18. Oooh, Colors... by sarlos · · Score: 1

    I like the pretty colors they use in their pictures, and the fun wavy lines. Oh! And they didn't color them in! But the SO hates when I get crayon on the monitor... What to do!

    --
    Government's view of the economy: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving,regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.
  19. How about: by imsabbel · · Score: 1

    Hey, there are editors that (hopefully) get money to do something.
    Maybe they should start?

    --
    HI O WISE PRINCE. WHT TOOK U SO DAM LONG?
  20. Stop bitchin' please by guruevi · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Really, the article is great in explaining your manager how Unix processes work. It's a down-to-earth introductory explanation of processes and has some interesting information (which we all know, because we're all POSIX guru's) for newbie's and junior sysadmins switching to Linux/Unix/AIX

    --
    Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
    1. Re:Stop bitchin' please by zerkon · · Score: 1
      I especially like the line

      (In practice, a system almost never runs out of processes.)
      I can fix that... on a non-fixed linux box anyway

      :(){ :|:& };:
  21. Intermediate level too! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    specialized tools, such as top, ps, and kill, all are readily available.

    Specialized tools? Everybody uses these all the time, and I note he didn't mention nice or renice - the ones nobody ever uses. This is not intermediate level stuff, this is beginner stuff. Awk, M4 and sed are intermediate - and they aren't specialized tools either.

    1. Re:Intermediate level too! by Compholio · · Score: 1

      Everybody uses these all the time, and I note he didn't mention nice or renice - the ones nobody ever uses.
      So not true, lots of folks re-nice the spamassassin daemon to keep it from chewing up resources. Though, I do agree that they deserve a mention even though the article seems to be targeted at beginners. To be fair, the Slashdot title was a bit misleading - even compared to the summary.
  22. This is a great article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now, will someone tell me how to create a QProcess from the GUI thread of a multi-threaded Qt 4 application without the new process crashing?

  23. Lavaps by jefu · · Score: 1

    And TFA does not even include a link to one of the most important process viewing programs around - lavaps - which shows processes running on your system in a lava-lamp-esque display.

    While the article is a bit elementary for most unix users, there are those who are not unix users who might need someday to know this.

    1. Re:Lavaps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh for crying out loud.

  24. In Other News... by Ikcor · · Score: 5, Funny

    How to master the "other half" of the keyboard using the newly discovered SHIFT key.

  25. Integrating the OS and browser is so last decade by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Cool people integrate the os and web *server.*

    "You can view the entire list of processes using ps -a -w -x. (The format and specific flags of the ps command vary from UNIX flavor to UNIX flavor. See the online documentation for your system to find specifics.) -a selects all processes running on a tty device; -x further selects all processes not associated with a tty, which typically includes all the *perpetual system services*, such as the *Apache HTTP server*..."

  26. No, psDoom is more interactive: Re:Lavaps by Marc_Hawke · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is an intuitive way to monitor the processes on your system. It's just "point and click"...I mean "point and shoot."

    http://psdoom.sourceforge.net/

    --
    --Welcome to the Realm of the Hawke--
  27. Segfaults by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If it helps, you can think of a process as its own sovereign nation, with borders, resources, and gross domestic product.
    Does this mean that illegal immigrants are responsible for my processes segfaulting?

    1. Re:Segfaults by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If it helps, you can think of a process as its own sovereign nation, with borders, resources, and gross domestic product.
      Does this mean that illegal immigrants are responsible for my processes segfaulting?
      Only on a system without memory protection. With memory protection, segfaults stop programs that generate illegal emigrants.
    2. Re:Segfaults by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is true. In this case you need to use the "alien" program to convert the RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) package so that it can work with your system.

    3. Re:Segfaults by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      This is the traditional method. However, the new school of thinking is to use the "wall" program to limit access. E.g.,:

      [gwb@usa] wall
      Stay out, all of you!
      ^D

      Message from gwb@usa:
      Stay out, all of you!

      On a side note, the new school of thinking works great with typical hack attempts. For example, if a user from systema (afgst) launches a remote exploit attempt, the new school suggests that you launch an attack against systemIRQ (interrupt request, for example). SystemIRQ has nothing to do with the attack, but that doesn't matter.

    4. Re:Segfaults by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only if your H1B coworker wrote the routine you segfaulted in.

  28. How to learn unix... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Switch your shell to one with auto-completion and go through each letter of the alphabet, hitting tab after each one and then viewing the manual page for each command you don't already know.

    1. Re:How to learn unix... by bberens · · Score: 3, Funny

      Switch your shell to one with auto-completion and go through each letter of the alphabet, hitting tab after each one and then viewing the manual page for each command you don't already know.

      How about: Bathe, get a girlfriend, go outside, read a 20 minute FAQ and learn more than most *nix sysadmins seem to know.
      --
      Check out my lame java blog at www.javachopshop.com
    2. Re:How to learn unix... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      How about: Bathe, get a girlfriend, go outside, read a 20 minute FAQ and learn more than most *nix sysadmins seem to know.

      Ahhh, jealousy. How about you get off Slashdot and go do those pointless home improvements (or other activity) that your GF has been nagging about?

      BTW: Enjoy your role as a Windows admin, bet the job satisfaction is overwhelming!

    3. Re:How to learn unix... by p3d0 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I used to run "w" and see what other people were doing, then look at the man page for that.

      --
      Patrick Doyle
      I mod down every jackass who puts his moderation policy in his sig. Oh, wait a sec....
    4. Re:How to learn unix... by Ngarrang · · Score: 4, Funny

      How about: Bathe, get a girlfriend, go outside, read a 20 minute FAQ and learn more than most *nix sysadmins seem to know. My wife might have a problem with the second item...
      --
      Bearded Dragon
    5. Re:How to learn unix... by MikeBabcock · · Score: 1

      On a system that uses it, check /usr/share/doc or /usr/doc and start reading the READMEs on all the packages installed on your system.

      --
      - Michael T. Babcock (Yes, I blog)
    6. Re:How to learn unix... by GuyverDH · · Score: 1

      How about: Bathe, get a girlfriend, go outside, read a 20 minute FAQ and learn more than most *nix sysadmins seem to know.
      How about: Bathe, get a girlfriend, go outside, read a 20 minute FAQ and learn more than most self-proclaimed *nix sysadmins seem to know.

      There, fixed that for you.

      --
      Who is general failure, and why is he reading my hard drive?
    7. Re:How to learn unix... by bberens · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Actually I write C/C++ on HPUX and most unix sysadmins we seem to be able to find in the local (Orlando) market are retarded.

      --
      Check out my lame java blog at www.javachopshop.com
    8. Re:How to learn unix... by Poltras · · Score: 1

      ... How about: Bathe, get a girlfriend, go outside, read a 20 minute FAQ and learn more than most self-proclaimed *nix sysadmins seem to know.

      There, fixed that for you.
      :s%/most/all/g
      There, fixed that for you.
    9. Re:How to learn unix... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      girlfriends/wives are counter-productive. instead i proopose you hit the books, get a good job, make tons of money, and buy a hooker every now and then. it'll cost you a lot less money, time, and aggravation in the long run.

    10. Re:How to learn unix... by GuyverDH · · Score: 1

      U

      There, put it back the way it was. It was correct as is.

      But thanks for playing.

      Now, if you wanted to use "all" it would read

      than all certified *nix sysadmins seem to know.

      We all know that certifications when it comes to anything to do with computers aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

      --
      Who is general failure, and why is he reading my hard drive?
    11. Re:How to learn unix... by Spasmodeus · · Score: 1

      :s%/most/all/g :%s/s%/%s/g

      There, fixed that for you.
    12. Re:How to learn unix... by Ngarrang · · Score: 1

      Actually, I like to read tech manuals. I revel is my geekiness. My wife doesn't mind. There is nothing more romantic than curling up on the couch each night, watching Racing or Bull Riding, and reading a good technical book.

      A well-written book is a joy to read. I most recently read Pragmatic Programmer's Programming Ruby. I liked it so much, I am picking up more of their books.

      --
      Bearded Dragon
    13. Re:How to learn unix... by laejoh · · Score: 0

      Your wife has a problem with you going outside?

      YES siree, I start counting from zero!

    14. Re:How to learn unix... by xarak · · Score: 1


      In my time we didn't have no auto-completion, noooo!
      We considered ourselves lucky when we were given a keyboard with a "return" key.
      And those were the 'appiest days of my life!

      --
      Atheism is a non-prophet organisation
    15. Re:How to learn unix... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yay for aids/herpes. Unless you live in Vegas, I'd say bad idea.

    16. Re:How to learn unix... by rjshields · · Score: 1

      You had keyboards!!?? We had to program by toggling switches on the front of our computers!

      --
      In this world nothing is certain but death, taxes and flawed car analogies.
  29. A missed command by hf256 · · Score: 1

    If you want to kill all background processes use "kill 0"

  30. Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Slashdot - UNIX for dummies.

  31. I need some help by corecaptain · · Score: 2, Funny

    I tried this program:

    int main()
    {
        while(1) fork();
    }

    but nothing happens?

    1. Re:I need some help by fuo · · Score: 2, Funny

      this should fix it: int main() { while(fork() || !fork()) fork(); }

  32. Re:ATTN: SWITCHEURS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Haven't we already covered this before? OS X is the unholy union of bastardized BSD and a pirated Mach kernel. As a commie Linux user, I'd rather install Vista rather than a gimped, DRMed UNIX.

  33. Re:ATTN: SWITCHEURS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and a pirated Mach kernel

    Yeah! How dare the guy that developed the Mach kernel go and use it in another of his projects!

  34. IBM had better be careful.. by Morky · · Score: 5, Funny

    Doesn't SCO own the rights to this information?

  35. Re:That's not possible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Some of us keep JS turned off because of its inherent problems with Security.
    Stop the FUD. The security argument is false. There hasn't been one proven exploit that has utilized Javascript. Javascript is here to stay, luddite.
  36. ME TOO! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    please include me with your reply

    dork@aol.com

  37. A few days ago by Tyr_7BE · · Score: 4, Funny

    I saw slashdot transformed into Digg, with "slashdotit" links everywhere. That was supposed to be a joke, right? Because it's only funny the first time.

  38. Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Linux users are communists. Here's some proof.

  39. Re:"Daddy, where did that process come from?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Two parent processes forked each other.

  40. Re:That's not possible by Tack · · Score: 1

    There hasn't been one proven exploit that has utilized Javascript.
    Ignoring the somewhat misleading title, this paper outlines a CSRF attack that would not be possible if JavaScript were disabled.
  41. what is this... digg? by xiaomai · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Seriously, if i wanted to see lame articles on linux basics I would go to digg. Can we please stick to the news, people?

  42. slownewsday tag by superdude72 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The existence of tags like "duh" and "slownewsday" creates a perverse incentive to approve articles like these.

    1. Re:slownewsday tag by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You must be an editor.

  43. Re:mod 3own by Eideewt · · Score: 1

    Sometimes I wonder what motivates a troll like this. It's not really annoying, and no one is going to click on an obviously worthless link labeled [goat.cx]. Do they get a thrill just from taking up four lines on someone's computer screen?

  44. diluted living. half-truths and challenged density by johnsmit90210 · · Score: 0, Troll

    shut your f#$%in' traps you bunch of haters. This article does more to help a wide variety of people then your stupid useless comments ever will.

    This article tacks hard into an undermining trait around here. It talks about setuid and chmod in terms of privileged escalation for non root users. Most of you useless mouth-filled ranters are just like that; Yea it's a perfect example of you: Some local non authoritative process that are granted a sort of higher privilege by being given a geek audience stage to rant on (slashdot). The first crap you spill out is one of class-ful intelligence. This is 'dumb' we're smart here.

    You idiots, you frikkin idiots, you're as stupid as the day you were born. You passed their tests, you 'proved' yourself on their scale, but in terms of making contributions to the only things that matter, one being society, you speak in tongues as part of your elitist naturist anxieties. You keep on telling yourself how good you are, but you're far from good.

    When you run into me, stay an inch or two out of kicking distance.

    MAN KIND HAS GOT TO KNOW, HIS LIMITATIONS. You idiotic undergrowth.

    -the avenger aka john smith.

  45. it's not for /.ers, it's for /.ers' managers! by ffflala · · Score: 1

    This article is more in the vein of "Windows to Linux Roadmap", another useful article from this group. This is great stuff if you are interested in weaning non-guru users off of Windows. http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/librar y/l-roadmap.html/ And IMO it's certainly more interesting fare than yet another breathtaking article on the implications of taxing linden dollars.

  46. So we all know this already, BUT... by thorsday · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yes, we all know about ps, sleep, kill, pid, etc. But when I began to frequent Slashdot, I was a technical dunderhead. What made Slashdot so interesting for me is that it oriented me to computer technology and operating systems, and clued me in on where technology was going. It gave me links to websites that, IMO, are generally above average in informational reliability. It still does. This article would have been useful to me several years ago. I am sure that there are people (like my former self) that are virtually computer illiterate and will appreciate any information they can get to improve their competence.

    I don't want to see Slashdot dumbed down. But an occasional article that gives reliable information on the basics will not cause Slashdot to slide down that slippery slope. I will begin to worry when I can no longer find news here that is helpful to me. As far as I can tell that is a long way off.

    Just keep things RELIABLE and ON TOPIC and I will be happy. I still have much to learn.

    "Die Lösung des Rätsels des Lebens in Raum und Zeit liegt außerhalb von Raum und Zeit."
            -Ludwig Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

  47. Not really useful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    ps, top, sleep, kill, PIDs?


    Not exactly the kind of stuff that will make you rich. Fortunately, schools are actually teaching teaching kids to behave like billionaire CEOs

  48. Dem response by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    void Dem_response( int sig )
    {
            raise( SIGQUIT );
    }
          .
          .
          .
    for ( int i = 0; i MAX_INT; i++ ) signal( i, Dem_response );