What is the function of the lsof command in Linux?
The “lsof” command, short for “list open files,” is used to view the files and processes currently open in the system. It can list files opened by processes in the system, including regular files, directories, network sockets, device files, and more. “lsof” command can provide the following information:
- List all open files: the lsof command can list all open files in the system, including regular files, directories, device files, network sockets, etc.
- List the files opened by a specific process: the lsof command can also list the files opened by a specific process, which can be filtered by process ID (PID) or process name.
- List network connections: the lsof command can display all network connections on the current system, including TCP and UDP connections. This is very useful for troubleshooting network issues.
- List the files opened by a specific user: The lsof command can list the files opened by a specific user and can filter by username.
The lsof command makes it easy to view the files and processes open in the system, helping system administrators and developers with tasks such as system monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
