All '''commands/programs''' ('''tasks''') that are '''running''' on a Unix/Linux computer system are referred to as '''processes'''.�

'''Characteristics of Processes:�'''

* Each process has an owner�an owner* Each process has a unique ID (PID) �* Processes keep their PID for their entire life.�* Usually a parent sleeps (i.e. suspended) when a child is running�running (the exception is when the child process is running in the background)*UNIX / Linux processes are hierarchical. The process structure can have�children have '''child processes''', '''great grandchild processes''', etc.