What does the command 'ps aux' do?

The command 'ps aux' is used to list all running processes on a Unix-like operating system. This command provides comprehensive information about the processes currently managed by the system, showing details such as the user who started the process, the process ID, CPU and memory usage, and the command that initiated the process.

The 'ps' command stands for "process status," while the 'aux' options modify its behavior: 'a' displays processes for all users, 'u' provides user-oriented format, and 'x' shows processes that are not attached to a terminal. This command is particularly useful for system monitoring and troubleshooting, as it allows users to see what is actively running on their system and manage processes effectively.

Understanding this command is essential for anyone working with Linux or Unix systems, as it helps in managing system performance and resource allocation.