multiple PIDS when running 1 app??

cevjr · 02-04-2005, 01:17 PM

I have noticed that the results of TOP when I run Rox Filer, terminal, xscreensaver, esd, etc is I get only 1 PID # per application, therefore I assume it is one service.

However, when I run firefox or thunderbird I get several PIDS representing firefox-bin + a PID for gconfd-2.

Can someone quickly explain this...not too detailed. Just a summary.

Thanks,

sludink · 02-04-2005, 02:15 PM

Well, this sometimes happens when a program has to do too much, I believe some web-like programs spawn up more services (daemons) to, since only a limited number of users can log in on one daemon. xmms runs some 5 processes too. I don't know the exact cause (maybe someone else can tell), but it's nothing to worry about, it even happens in Windows.