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linux ac: Also display additional details

Jonas

Jonas

3 min read

Introduction

In the world of Linux, the ac command is a useful tool that provides us with essential information about system utilization and activity. But did you know that it can also display additional details? In this article, we will explore how to harness the full potential of the ac command and uncover those hidden insights. So, let's dive into the fascinating world of Linux system monitoring.

Displaying Additional Details

To discover the additional details provided by the ac command, let's take a look at a practical example. Suppose you want to analyze the activity of the system users over a specific period. By default, the ac command shows information about the number of users logged in and their total usage time. However, we can enhance this output to include more detailed data, such as the individual session times for each user.

To achieve this, we need to add the -d flag to the ac command. This flag enables the display of detailed information, including session start and end times, idle times, and the total duration of each user session. Here's an example of how to use it:

$ ac -d

After executing this command, you will see an output similar to the following:

user session start session end time idle jcpu pcpu
user1 Mon May 10 12:34:56 2021 - Mon May 10 15:30:45 2021 Mon May 10 15:30:45 2021 - Mon May 10 15:43:21 2021 02:08:39 00:12:36 0.002s 3.00s
user2 Mon May 10 09:12:34 2021 - Mon May 10 13:45:21 2021 Mon May 10 13:45:21 2021 - Mon May 10 14:10:01 2021 04:32:47 0.418s 0.006s 0.00s
user3 Mon May 10 08:00:00 2021 - Mon May 10 11:15:00 2021 Mon May 10 11:15:00 2021 - Mon May 10 11:25:00 2021 03:25:00 0.037s 0.024s 0.00s

As shown in the table above, the -d flag provides a detailed breakdown of each user's activity, including the start and end times of their sessions, the total time spent using the system, the idle time between commands, and the CPU time (both job and process).

With this level of detail, you can gain deeper insights into user behavior and system usage patterns. Whether you want to identify potential bottlenecks, understand resource allocation, or simply keep track of user activity, the ac command with the -d flag proves to be a valuable tool in your Linux toolbox.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ac command in Linux is not limited to providing basic information about system utilization. By using the -d flag, you can unlock a wealth of additional details that offer a deeper understanding of user activity and resource usage. I hope this article has shed light on how to leverage the power of the ac command to gain insights and monitor your Linux system more effectively. So, go ahead, explore, and make the most out of this powerful tool!