How to read the table of processes

[shakespeare]

I'm a Mac user from the old days, so I'm not very familiar with using UNIX. Can someone help me interpret the Terminal's TOP command? I'm trying to figure out how much memory my applications are using, but the (apparently) four columns for memory are confusing. And what are the other columns? Can someone enlighten me as to what they mean?

Thanks!

 

[mbustamante]

Open Terminal and type "top" without the quotes. Hit return; top will update constantly so the %CPU value will change.

 

[shakespeare]

You misunderstand me. I know how to get the TOP and to understand the CPU figures; it's the memory figures I can't figure out: RPVT, etc.

 

[altivec 2003]

try typing "man top"
It should give you all you need to know

 

[shakespeare]

Thanks, that's what I needed.