What is a process?

In general, a Unix process is one execution of a program or command.

• Every process transforms one or more input streams into one or more output streams.
• For example, if you use a word processor to produce a document, the word processor is converting your keystrokes into a file (a stored representation of the document). In this case the input stream is from the keyboard and the output is to a file.
• When you print the file, you are converting that file (as an input stream) into a printed representation---the output stream goes to the printer.
• Whenever you type a Unix command, you are creating a process to carry out the work of that command.

Last updated: 1995/12/04 19:39:34 UT
URL: http://www.nmt.edu/tcc/help/unix/process.html