The /proc File System and Commands

You can display detailed information about the processes listed in the /proc directory by using process commands. The /proc directory is also known as the process file system (PROCFS). Images of active processes are stored here by their process ID number.

The process tools are similar to some options of the ps command, except that the output that is provided by these commands is more detailed. In general, the process commands do the following:

• Display more information about processes, such as fstat and fcntl, working directories, and trees of parent and child processes

• Provide control over processes by allowing users to stop or resume them