The top command in Linux explained
The top command shows running processes and processor and memory use live. It is one of the most useful commands for anyone using a live USB drive or a fresh Linux install.
Syntax
top
Examples
top: a live list that refreshes every few seconds
Tip
Press q to quit, M to sort by memory and P to sort by processor use.
Keep learning
New to the terminal? Start with Linux terminal basics. You can try every command safely from a live session: see how to try Linux without installing it. Run man top in a terminal for the full manual.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see every option for top?
Run man top for the full manual, or try top --help for a short summary.
Do I need sudo to run top?
Not for your own files. You only need sudo when the command changes something owned by the system or another user.
Is it safe to practise top on a live USB drive?
Mostly yes, because a live session starts fresh each time. Be careful with commands that write to your internal disk, such as rm on a mounted drive or dd.