3a. GLOBAL Commands
The global interactive commands are always available in both full-screen mode and alternate-display mode. However, some of these interactive commands are not available when running in 'Secure mode'.If you wish to know in advance whether or not your top has been secured, simply ask for help and view the system summary on the second line.
- <Enter> or <Space> :Refresh_Display
These commands do nothing, they are simply ignored.
However, they will awaken top 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,
- '?' or 'h' :Help
There are two help levels available.
The first will provide a reminder of all the basic interactive commands.
If top is secured, that screen will be abbreviated.
Typing 'h' or '?' on that help screen will take you to help for those interactive commands applicable to alternate-display mode.
- '=' :Exit_Task_Limits
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' command-line option for a discussion of PID monitoring.
When operating in alternate-display mode this command has a slightly broader meaning.
- 'A' :Alternate_Display_Mode_toggle
This command will switch between full-screen mode and alternate-display mode.
See topic 4. ALTERNATE-DISPLAY Mode and the 'G' interactive command for insight into
'current' windows and field groups.
- 'B' :Bold_Disable/Enable_toggle
This command will influence use of the 'bold' terminfo capability and
alters both the summary area and task area for the 'current' window.
While it is intended primarily for use with dumb terminals, it can be
applied anytime.
Note: When this toggle is On and top is operating in monochrome mode, the entire display 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.
- * 'd' or 's' :Change_Delay_Time_interval
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 top'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.
- 'G' :Choose_Another_Window/Field_Group
You will be prompted to enter a number between 1 and 4 designating the
window/field group which should be made the 'current' window.
You will soon grow comfortable with these 4 windows, especially after
experimenting with alternate-display mode.
- 'I' :Irix/Solaris_Mode_toggle
When operating in 'Solaris mode' ('I' toggled Off), a task's cpu usage
will be divided by the total number of CPUs.
After issuing this command, you'll be informed of the new state of this toggle.
- 'u' :select a user
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.
- 'U' :select a user
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.
- * 'k' :Kill_a_task You will be prompted for a PID and then the signal to
Important: Use the man command (% man) to see how a command is used on your particular computer.
All commands:
Linux/Unix Command Library
Shell Command Library
