LFCS Operation of Running Systems Practice Question
A system administrator needs to check the current CPU load and memory usage on a Linux server. Which command should be used to display a dynamic, real-time view of running processes and system resource utilization?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse static commands like ps aux or free -h with the dynamic, real-time requirement, or assume uptime provides process-level detail, when only top (or similar tools like htop) continuously updates process and resource data.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
top
(top) is correct because it provides a dynamic, real-time view of running processes and system resource utilization, including CPU load, memory usage, and process details. It updates continuously by default, making it ideal for monitoring live system performance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
uptime
Why it's wrong here
uptime prints only the current time, how long the system has run and three load-average figures, then exits; it shows no per-process detail and no memory breakdown, so it cannot provide the required dynamic, real-time view. It suits a quick one-line check of system uptime and recent load trend.
- ✓
top
Why this is correct
top provides a continuously refreshing, real-time view of running processes alongside CPU load averages and memory utilisation, updating by default every few seconds. This satisfies the dynamic, real-time requirement, unlike one-shot tools such as free or vmstat.
- ✗
ps aux
Why it's wrong here
ps aux captures a static snapshot of processes at the instant it runs and then terminates, so it cannot refresh continuously as the question's dynamic, real-time view requires, and its memory columns are per-process rather than system-wide. It suits scripted process auditing or piping into grep.
- ✗
free -h
Why it's wrong here
free -h reports a single snapshot of total, used, free and cached memory plus swap, then exits; it displays no CPU statistics and no per-process information, so it cannot deliver the required dynamic, real-time view of running processes. It fits a quick memory-availability check before resizing or restarting services.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LFCS exam.