Lets a process name abc.
how can i kill it in one line command?

Depending on the OS, you may be able to use pkill abc.

Otherwise, try ps -ef | awk '/[a]bc/ { print $2 }' | xargs kill.

Hi,

there may be multiple occurences of string abc in the output of
ps -ef.

In that case all those processes will be killed i think.

In awk, matching shoule be done 9th field.

Thanks
Penchal

Which field to match on really depends on which platform you are on and which ps options you are using -- these vary rather wildly.

As such, good advice -- especially if the command name is short an cryptic, you might get accidental matches. As always, look before you dive.

The use of [a]bc is a trick to avoid having the script find and kill itself in the listing; unlike "abc", "[a]bc" does not match itself, so it avoids this suicide syndrome. There are other ways to work around that, of course. Here's one attempt.

ps -ef | awk '$9 == "a" "bc" { print $2 }' | xargs kill

Hi era,

Cant i use .

ps -ef | awk '$9 == "abc" { print $2 }' | xargs kill

instead of

ps -ef | awk '$9 == "a" "bc" { print $2 }' | xargs kill

Thanks
Penchal

Yes, come to think of it, the suicide issue only applies when the script's arguments might match.