NAME

nice − run a command at low priority nohup − run a command immune to hangups (sh only)

SYNOPSIS

nice [ −number ] command [ arguments ]

nohup command [ arguments ]

DESCRIPTION

Nice executes command with low scheduling priority.  In both sh and csh, priority numbers go from 0 (the highest priority) to 120 (the lowest priority).  The default priority number is 20. 

However, the method of setting or changing a priority is quite different between sh and csh. 

In csh, you set or change priorities by adding (+n) or if you are the super-user, subtracting (-n) numbers to lower or raise the priority, respectively. 

In sh, on the other hand, the number argument (-n) is always taken as a parameter to be added to the default priority, which lowers it.  The number (-n) argument increases the priority number from 20 to 20 + n , and lowers the priority accordingly.  The total may not exceed 120. 

Only the super-user may run commands with priority higher than normal by subtracting from the default priority, e.g., "−−10" in the Bourne shell (-sh), or "−10" in csh. 

Nohup executes command immune to terminate (EOT, Control-D) signal from the controlling terminal.  With nohup, the priority is automatically incremented by 5.  Nohup should be used with processes running in background (with ’&’) in order to prevent it from responding to interrupts or stealing the input from the next person who logs in on the same terminal.  In csh, processes run in background are automatically immune to hangups. 

EXAMPLE

nice -5 nroff -ms filea fileb filec&

formats the three named files in the background with priority 25 (in sh ),
OR
in csh, at priority 15. 

FILES

nohup.outstandard output and standard error file
       under nohup in sh(1).

SEE ALSO

csh(1), nice(2)

DIAGNOSTICS

Nice returns the exit status of the subject command. 

To find out what the "nice" status of particular processes is, do a ps axl, and look in the "NICE" column.  Stay aware of the shell you’re in. 

7th Edition  —  1/21/82