There are several easy ways to find out the processes that are running. From the CLI, you can use ps and top to show applications, dependencies, and resources. For example, ps -ef shows every (-e) running process in a full (-f) detailed list. The columns will display the user who runs the process (UID), the process ID (PID), the parent process ID (PPID) which spawned this process, as well as when the process was started, how long it has been running.

The ps command provides a single snapshot of the currently running applications. On the other hand, top refreshes every few seconds to display actively running processes. Processes that are spawned but not active will be displayed further down in the listing.

You can interact with top in order to change the refresh rate (type s and then enter the refresh rate in seconds) or ordering (use < and > to select the order-by column). You can also press h to see a full list of the supported commands. You can quit top by pressing ‘q’.

You can also use the graphical ‘System Monitor’ tool which enables you to see the list of running processes.

The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available for purchase from participating retailers. It can also be purchased online from the Microsoft Store. It will be available in other countries (Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, and others) after October 22. The retail version of Windows 7 was launched on October 22, 2009.

There are some reports that it may be available in Canada after October 5, just two days after availability in the US. However, this is not confirmed.

The Windows 7 Family Pack will probably receive a good response as many users will like to upgrade to the new OS without having to shell a lot of money. Most people have multiple computers at home and so this is going to be a money saver.

A single error can result in error messages for subsequent correct statements. This generally happens with statements that refer to something that is supposed to be defined by a statement containing an error. If a statement that defines something has an error, then what was supposed to be defined won’t be.

Example program showing an error:

#include<stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
printf("If at first you don\’t succeed, try, try, try again!")
return 0;
}

If you now try to compile this program, you’ll see an error message shown below:

Syntax error : missing ‘;’ before ‘}’
HELLO.C – 1 error(s), 0 warning(s)

The compiler is able to determine precisely the error and its location. There should be a semicolon at the end of that printf() line. It’s so easy to forget a comma or a bracket, or to just press the wrong key. Even experienced programmers make exactly the same mistakes—even after years of practice. However, with experience you will make fewer mistakes and be able to locate and fix the errors without much difficulty.

Contributed by Prasad G. Prasad works as programming instructor and has years of experience in teaching, programming and writing.

Dictionary words: Many people often use dictionary words as their passwords. If the password is found in a dictionary (English, French, Chinese, and so on) then it can be easily guessed. Usually they do this by trial and error or use a software that automates the processes and makes it faster.

Words with number: Simple word-number combinations, like apple12 or 288cereal can be easily guessed. The same goes for punctuation (hello! and ?what?). If you want your account(s) to be secure, do not use passwords consisting of simple word-number combinations. Instead use complex passwords.

Keyboard patterns: Sequences like asdfghjk (adjacent keys on the keyboard) are very easy to guess. Other common passwords include asdf1234, qwerty, etc. Never use such passwords as they can be easily compromised.

Common data: License plates, dates (birthday, anniversary, and so on), kids names, and other types of public information are very easy to guess.

Crackers often use programs like John the Ripper to crack passwords through dictionary attacks and common password patterns like the ones listed above. John can crack about 20 percent of user-chosen passwords in the first few minutes, and up to 80 percent in a few hours.

You should always keep your passwords secret. You should never hint at your password, e-mail it, and tell it to anyone in public. You should also change it regularly. You can use software such as Roboform to generate good passwords.