What is htop?
htop is an interactive process viewer for Unix-based systems. It provides a real-time, color-coded overview of system processes, CPU usage, memory consumption, and more. Its user-friendly interface and advanced features make it a superior alternative to the traditional top command.

How to Install htop on Different Operating Systems

1. Installing htop on Debian/Ubuntu

If you’re using a Debian-based distribution like Ubuntu, you can install htop using the apt package manager:

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sudo apt update
sudo apt install htop

Once installed, simply run htop in your terminal to launch the tool.

2. Installing htop on Fedora

For Fedora users, htop can be installed via the dnf package manager:

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sudo dnf install htop

After installation, type htop in the terminal to start using it.

3. Installing htop on CentOS/RHEL

On CentOS or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), use the yum package manager:

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sudo yum install htop

If yum is not available, you can use dnf (common in newer versions):

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sudo dnf install htop

4. Installing htop on macOS

For macOS users, htop can be installed via Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS:

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brew install htop

Once installed, run htop in your terminal to access the tool.

5. Installing htop on Arch Linux

Arch Linux and its derivatives (like Manjaro) use the pacman package manager:

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sudo pacman -S htop

6. Installing htop from Source

If your operating system doesn’t have a package manager or you prefer to build from source, follow these steps:

  1. Download the latest source code from the official htop GitHub repository.
  2. Extract the files and navigate to the directory:
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    tar -xvzf htop-x.x.x.tar.gz
    cd htop-x.x.x
  3. Compile and install:
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    ./configure
    make
    sudo make install

Why Install htop?

  • Real-Time Monitoring: htop provides a live view of system processes, making it ideal for debugging and performance tuning.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Its color-coded, interactive display is easier to use than traditional tools like top.
  • Cross-Platform: htop is available on most Unix-based systems, including Linux and macOS.

Conclusion:
Installing htop is a straightforward process, regardless of your operating system. Whether you’re using Debian, Fedora, macOS, or even building from source, this guide ensures you can get htop up and running in no time. Once installed, htop will become an essential tool in your programming and system administration toolkit.