Description: Htop is an interactive process viewer for Unix-like systems that allows users to monitor system performance visually and in real-time. Unlike its predecessor, the ‘top’ command, Htop offers a more user-friendly and colorful interface, making it easier to interpret information. Users can view CPU usage, memory, swap, and other system resources, as well as a list of running processes. Htop allows navigation through processes, the ability to send signals to them, and the option to sort information by different criteria, such as CPU or memory usage. Its intuitive design and customization capabilities make it a valuable tool for system administrators and advanced users looking to optimize their machines’ performance. Htop is especially popular in various Linux distributions, as well as in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
History: Htop was created by Hisham Muhammad in 2004 as an improved alternative to the ‘top’ command. Since its release, it has evolved with contributions from various developers, incorporating new features and enhancements to the interface. Over the years, Htop has gained popularity in the user community due to its ease of use and ability to provide detailed information about system performance.
Uses: Htop is primarily used to monitor system performance in real-time, allowing users to identify resource-hungry processes and manage system load efficiently. It is also useful for server administration, where constant monitoring of resource usage is crucial for maintaining optimal performance.
Examples: A practical example of Htop is its use on a server where an administrator can open Htop to observe CPU and memory usage, identify a process that is consuming too many resources, and decide whether to terminate it or adjust its configuration. Another case is in a development environment, where programmers can use Htop to monitor the performance of their applications while they are running.
