how to run the top command with 'm' already pushed?

Question

I want to run top so that it opens as if you hit the m key, what I really want is this:

How to run ''top'' command 1 time and exit?

But I want to

a) have the 'm' key hit b) sort by memory (shift-m)

Can this be done from the command line?

Thanks, Kevin

update - showing what i am seeking from command line without having to hit any key:

Just an update to clarify i need BOTH the sort by AND the memory showing, in a single command line, the given solution only solves the sort request. Thanks for any help.

If you want those as the defaults, consider using a .toprc file - see for example How to set memory usage sort in top command as default? — steeldriver, Nov 23 '22 at 14:37

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 23 '22 at 14:40

1

from command line you can sort with -o. On MEM this would be

top -o +%MEM

if from high to low.

See man top:

-o :Override-sort-field as: -o fieldname Specifies the name of the field on which tasks will be sorted, independent of what is reflected in the configuration file. You can prepend a + or - to the field name to also override the sort direction. A leading + will force sorting high to low, whereas a - will ensure a low to high ordering.

This option exists primarily to support automated/scripted batch mode operation.

answered Nov 23 '22 at 14:40

Rinzwind

299,756

this solution solves b) but not a) – user1130176 Nov 23 '22 at 16:02
i want the output to show the memory percent graph AND ALSO sort by mem decreasing – user1130176 Nov 23 '22 at 16:02

how to run the top command with 'm' already pushed?

1 Answers1