htop - better process viewer for Linux

htop is a better and easier to use process viewer for Linux than standard top.

Installing htop

On Debian box you can simply write following line to install htop

apt-get install htop

If you would like to compile htop from source code first download source code from http://sourceforge.net/projects/htop/  and follow next step:

tar zxvf htop-1.0.1.tar.gz
cd htop-1.0.1
./configure
make
make install

Using htop

For using htop you should simply run following command in your console:

htop

screenshot taken from htop (debian)

Comparison between htop and top

• In 'htop' you can scroll the list vertically and horizontally to see all processes and complete command lines.
• In 'top' you are subject to a delay for each unassigned key you press (especially annoying when multi-key escape sequences are triggered by accident).
• 'htop' starts faster ('top' seems to collect data for a while before displaying anything).
• In 'htop' you don't need to type the process number to kill a process, in 'top' you do.
• In 'htop' you don't need to type the process number or the priority value to renice a process, in 'top' you do.
• 'htop' supports mouse operation, 'top' doesn't
• 'top' is older, hence, more used and tested.