ps_mem: A Lightweight Tool for Accurate Memory Usage Reporting

ps_mem: A Lightweight Tool for Accurate Memory Usage Reporting

Are you looking for a reliable way to measure the memory footprint of your programs on Linux? Look no further than ps_mem! This simple Python script provides an accurate view of a program's in-core memory usage.

What it Does

ps_mem goes beyond the basic memory information provided by tools like ps. It delves into the /proc filesystem to extract a more precise picture of memory consumption, including:

• Resident Set Size (RSS): The amount of physical memory a process actively uses.


• Shared Memory: Memory shared with other processes. This helps identify potential memory optimization opportunities.

Key Features

• Accuracy: ps_mem leverages the /proc/$pid/smaps file for more accurate memory reporting compared to traditional methods.


• Lightweight: Being a Python script, ps_mem is easy to install and use, with minimal resource overhead.


• Informative Output: ps_mem displays memory usage in human-readable units (KiB, MiB, etc.) for easy comprehension.


• Process Counting: It also reports the number of processes with a specific name, aiding in identifying resource-intensive applications.

Getting Started

ps_mem is available on GitHub: https://github.com/pixelb/ps_mem

Installation:

1. Ensure you have Python 3 installed.


2. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/pixelb/ps_mem.git
   


3. Navigate to the project directory: cd ps_mem
   


4. Run the script: python ps_mem.py
   

Going Further

ps_mem offers a straightforward approach to memory analysis.

• For detailed information on script functionality, refer to the commit history: https://github.com/pixelb/ps_mem
  


• If you're comfortable with Python, consider contributing to the project's development!

For a deeper dive into memory management, explore tools like top and htop for real-time monitoring, or consider profiling tools for a more comprehensive analysis.