jobs MacOS Command Guide

The MacOS ‘jobs’ command is a built-in utility that allows users to manage background jobs. This command displays a list of all current jobs running in the background of your terminal session. By using this command, you can view the job ID, status, and the command that started the job. It is especially useful when you have multiple processes running simultaneously and need to keep track of them. Additionally, you can use the ‘jobs’ command to bring background jobs to the foreground, suspend jobs, or terminate them. This guide will walk you through the basics of using the ‘jobs’ command effectively on your MacOS system.

jobs Syntax:

jobs [options]

Options:

Option	Description
-l	Display process ID and status for each job.
-p	Display process group IDs only.
-r	Display only running jobs.
-s	Display only stopped jobs.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
None

Caution

It is important to note that the jobs command displays information about background jobs currently executing in the shell session. Use caution when managing or manipulating these jobs to avoid unintended consequences.

jobs Command Samples:

View Current Jobs

jobs

Displays a list of current jobs running in the background.

Run a Command in the Background

sleep 10 &

Runs the “sleep 10” command in the background for 10 seconds.

Bring a Job to the Foreground

fg 1

Brings job number 1 to the foreground.

Send a Job to the Background

bg 2

Sends job number 2 to the background.

Kill a Job by Job ID

kill %1

Terminates the job with job ID 1.

List Stopped or Background Jobs

jobs -l

Lists all jobs, including their PIDs and statuses.

Suspend a Job

kill -STOP %1

Suspends the job with job ID 1.

Tip

Remember that the jobs command in MacOS is used to display the status of jobs in the current shell session. It can be useful for managing multiple processes running in the background.

jobs FAQ:

How do I use jobs in MacOS?

To use the jobs command in MacOS, execute the following command:

jobs

How can I list all active jobs in MacOS?

To list all active jobs in MacOS, use the following command:

jobs -l

Is there a way to display PID along with jobs in MacOS?

Yes, you can display the PID along with jobs in MacOS using the following command:

jobs -p

How can I bring a background job to the foreground in MacOS?

To bring a background job to the foreground in MacOS, you can use the following command:

fg %<job_number>

Can I stop a background job in MacOS using the jobs command?

Yes, you can stop a background job in MacOS using the jobs command. Here is an example:

kill -STOP %<job_number>

How do I resume a stopped job in MacOS?

To resume a stopped job in MacOS, use the following command:

kill -CONT %<job_number>

Applications of the jobs command

• View a list of all currently active jobs in the shell
• Manage multiple processes running in the background
• Check the status of background jobs
• Bring background jobs to the foreground
• Terminate or suspend specific background jobs