NAME

nice − run a command at low priority

SYNOPSIS

nice [ −increment ] command [ arguments ]

DESCRIPTION

nice executes command with a lower CPU scheduling priority.  The priocntl command is a more general interface to scheduler functions. 

The invoking process (generally the user’s shell) must be in the time-sharing scheduling class.  The command is executed in the time-sharing class. 

If the increment argument (in the range 1−19) is given, it is used; if not, an increment of 10 is assumed. 

The super-user may run commands with priority higher than normal by using a negative increment, for example, −−10. 

SEE ALSO

nohup(1), priocntl(1)
nice(2). 

DIAGNOSTICS

nice returns the exit status of command.

NOTES

An increment larger than 19 is equivalent to 19. 

  —  User Environment Utilities