Re: Top Question

[jordanb@hafd.org (Jordan Bettis)]

On Mon, Mar 24, 2003 at 11:15:21AM -0600, Tim McDonough wrote:
> 
> When you're running Top what does it indicate when the word defunct in 
> parenthesis show up next to a process?

The process is a zombie.

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (09 FEB 02) [foldoc]:

  zombie process
  
     <operating system> (Or "defunct process") A {Unix} {process}
     that has terminated (either because it has been killed by a
     {signal} or because it has called {exit}()) and whose {parent
     process} has not yet received notification of its termination
     by executing (some form of) the {wait}() {system call}.
  
     A zombie process exists solely as a {process table} entry and
     consumes no other resources.  This entry is retained to hold
     the child's exit status until the parent process wants to
     retrieve it.  The parent can also be notified asynchronously
     via a signal of the child's termination.
  
     Zombie processes can be seen in "ps" listings occasionally
     (with a status "Z" in some versions).
  
     Compare {orphan process}.
  
     (1997-10-08)

-- 
Jordan Bettis <http://www.hafd.org/~jordanb>
The string is a stark data structure and everywhere it is passed there is much
duplication of process. It is a perfect vehicle for hiding information.
          -- Alan J Perlis: Epigrams in Programming, ACM SIGPLAN 1982

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