# Capturing and Handling Operating System Command Output in R
# In data analysis, it’s often necessary to interact with the operating system (OS) directly, either to retrieve information about the system’s status or to gather data for processing. In R, this can be done by running system commands within R scripts. By capturing the output of these commands, I can incorporate system-level insights directly into my R workflow, making it a powerful tool for tasks that require monitoring system resources or extracting OS-specific information. This essay explores various methods for capturing and handling OS command output in R, focusing on functions that return character vectors and those that return data frames.
# Capturing Command Output as a Character Vector
# Base R provides two primary functions for executing system commands and capturing their output as character vectors: `system` and `system2`. These functions execute commands in the OS shell and capture the result. To capture the output of the command as a character vector, I set the `intern` parameter to `TRUE` for `system`, or `stdout` to `TRUE` for `system2`. Here’s an example that retrieves system information using the `top` command, which displays processes running on the machine:
# Using system
# Use tasklist on Windows
system("tasklist", intern = TRUE)
## [1] ""
## [2] "Image Name PID Session Name Session# Mem Usage"
## [3] "========================= ======== ================ =========== ============"
## [4] "System Idle Process 0 Services 0 8 K"
## [5] "System 4 Services 0 12 K"
## [6] "Registry 88 Services 0 17,888 K"
## [7] "smss.exe 404 Services 0 152 K"
## [8] "csrss.exe 692 Services 0 732 K"
## [9] "csrss.exe 780 Console 1 1,916 K"
## [10] "wininit.exe 788 Services 0 456 K"
## [11] "winlogon.exe 844 Console 1 2,172 K"
## [12] "services.exe 908 Services 0 4,496 K"
## [13] "lsass.exe 952 Services 0 10,788 K"
## [14] "svchost.exe 492 Services 0 22,888 K"
## [15] "fontdrvhost.exe 484 Console 1 412 K"
## [16] "fontdrvhost.exe 8 Services 0 656 K"
## [17] "WUDFHost.exe 668 Services 0 620 K"
## [18] "svchost.exe 1128 Services 0 14,864 K"
## [19] "svchost.exe 1180 Services 0 3,264 K"
## [20] "dwm.exe 1252 Console 1 65,128 K"
## [21] "svchost.exe 1324 Services 0 10,260 K"
## [22] "svchost.exe 1388 Services 0 1,624 K"
## [23] "svchost.exe 1400 Services 0 3,580 K"
## [24] "svchost.exe 1412 Services 0 3,068 K"
## [25] "svchost.exe 1480 Services 0 2,800 K"
## [26] "svchost.exe 1488 Services 0 3,756 K"
## [27] "svchost.exe 1524 Services 0 1,040 K"
## [28] "svchost.exe 1612 Services 0 2,312 K"
## [29] "IntelCpHDCPSvc.exe 1656 Services 0 16 K"
## [30] "svchost.exe 1740 Services 0 6,512 K"
## [31] "svchost.exe 1752 Services 0 4,432 K"
## [32] "svchost.exe 1776 Services 0 3,904 K"
## [33] "svchost.exe 1896 Services 0 7,460 K"
## [34] "IntelCpHeciSvc.exe 2000 Services 0 16 K"
## [35] "svchost.exe 684 Services 0 5,068 K"
## [36] "svchost.exe 1868 Services 0 4,356 K"
## [37] "svchost.exe 2168 Services 0 1,636 K"
## [38] "svchost.exe 2184 Services 0 5,076 K"
## [39] "svchost.exe 2232 Services 0 4,028 K"
## [40] "svchost.exe 2240 Services 0 904 K"
## [41] "svchost.exe 2268 Services 0 1,220 K"
## [42] "svchost.exe 2440 Services 0 204 K"
## [43] "Memory Compression 2448 Services 0 59,164 K"
## [44] "svchost.exe 2552 Services 0 1,640 K"
## [45] "igfxCUIService.exe 2572 Services 0 16 K"
## [46] "svchost.exe 2664 Services 0 1,356 K"
## [47] "svchost.exe 2672 Services 0 1,412 K"
## [48] "TouchpointAnalyticsClient 2836 Services 0 21,200 K"
## [49] "svchost.exe 3044 Services 0 756 K"
## [50] "svchost.exe 3124 Services 0 6,380 K"
## [51] "svchost.exe 3176 Services 0 9,168 K"
## [52] "svchost.exe 3352 Services 0 2,008 K"
## [53] "svchost.exe 3572 Services 0 1,124 K"
## [54] "svchost.exe 3616 Services 0 11,100 K"
## [55] "svchost.exe 3680 Services 0 1,320 K"
## [56] "svchost.exe 3784 Services 0 852 K"
## [57] "svchost.exe 3832 Services 0 2,392 K"
## [58] "svchost.exe 3840 Services 0 1,468 K"
## [59] "svchost.exe 3848 Services 0 2,192 K"
## [60] "svchost.exe 4028 Services 0 3,464 K"
## [61] "svchost.exe 4088 Services 0 6,168 K"
## [62] "svchost.exe 1832 Services 0 2,252 K"
## [63] "spoolsv.exe 3024 Services 0 356 K"
## [64] "svchost.exe 3100 Services 0 3,688 K"
## [65] "svchost.exe 2952 Services 0 1,820 K"
## [66] "unsecapp.exe 4308 Services 0 2,076 K"
## [67] "WmiPrvSE.exe 4360 Services 0 6,140 K"
## [68] "svchost.exe 4644 Services 0 20,580 K"
## [69] "svchost.exe 4660 Services 0 13,576 K"
## [70] "ETDService.exe 4684 Services 0 8 K"
## [71] "OneApp.IGCC.WinService.ex 4736 Services 0 7,632 K"
## [72] "svchost.exe 4760 Services 0 2,624 K"
## [73] "svchost.exe 4828 Services 0 2,424 K"
## [74] "RtkAudUService64.exe 4880 Services 0 1,284 K"
## [75] "RtkBtManServ.exe 4892 Services 0 1,372 K"
## [76] "svchost.exe 4912 Services 0 1,028 K"
## [77] "SynAudSrv.exe 4936 Services 0 780 K"
## [78] "CxAudioSvc.exe 4952 Services 0 8,888 K"
## [79] "svchost.exe 5032 Services 0 264 K"
## [80] "svchost.exe 5068 Services 0 8,312 K"
## [81] "ETDCtrlHelper.exe 716 Console 1 28 K"
## [82] "AggregatorHost.exe 1668 Services 0 1,628 K"
## [83] "esif_uf.exe 5172 Services 0 800 K"
## [84] "svchost.exe 1464 Services 0 3,928 K"
## [85] "svchost.exe 11920 Services 0 7,208 K"
## [86] "svchost.exe 12204 Services 0 6,648 K"
## [87] "svchost.exe 1940 Services 0 5,628 K"
## [88] "svchost.exe 5124 Services 0 1,680 K"
## [89] "MoUsoCoreWorker.exe 6020 Services 0 2,548 K"
## [90] "svchost.exe 2288 Services 0 2,596 K"
## [91] "svchost.exe 3952 Services 0 1,300 K"
## [92] "ETDCtrl.exe 12156 Console 1 3,092 K"
## [93] "sihost.exe 11804 Console 1 13,160 K"
## [94] "svchost.exe 11872 Console 1 1,040 K"
## [95] "svchost.exe 436 Console 1 2,984 K"
## [96] "svchost.exe 3520 Console 1 964 K"
## [97] "svchost.exe 5024 Console 1 11,780 K"
## [98] "svchost.exe 12368 Services 0 9,936 K"
## [99] "igfxEM.exe 12384 Console 1 1,448 K"
## [100] "taskhostw.exe 12464 Console 1 9,192 K"
## [101] "ETDTouch.exe 12596 Console 1 564 K"
## [102] "explorer.exe 12940 Console 1 101,636 K"
## [103] "RtkAudUService64.exe 12952 Console 1 2,544 K"
## [104] "svchost.exe 12744 Console 1 17,348 K"
## [105] "svchost.exe 712 Services 0 4,024 K"
## [106] "StartMenuExperienceHost.e 13416 Console 1 11,984 K"
## [107] "RuntimeBroker.exe 13508 Console 1 7,976 K"
## [108] "RuntimeBroker.exe 13604 Console 1 9,460 K"
## [109] "svchost.exe 13760 Console 1 2,468 K"
## [110] "dllhost.exe 13996 Console 1 3,908 K"
## [111] "TextInputHost.exe 12812 Console 1 42,880 K"
## [112] "svchost.exe 15188 Console 1 10,764 K"
## [113] "SecurityHealthSystray.exe 14900 Console 1 2,632 K"
## [114] "SecurityHealthService.exe 15184 Services 0 6,564 K"
## [115] "RtkAudUService64.exe 15132 Console 1 2,608 K"
## [116] "HPSystemEventUtilityBackg 15968 Console 1 8,292 K"
## [117] "svchost.exe 15716 Services 0 1,176 K"
## [118] "unsecapp.exe 16332 Console 1 3,328 K"
## [119] "HPMediaNetwork.exe 15620 Console 1 4,172 K"
## [120] "svchost.exe 428 Services 0 3,828 K"
## [121] "DesktopExtension.exe 16492 Console 1 4,392 K"
## [122] "HP.myHP.exe 16572 Console 1 5,060 K"
## [123] "RuntimeBroker.exe 16620 Console 1 1,544 K"
## [124] "svchost.exe 2764 Console 1 1,592 K"
## [125] "svchost.exe 15304 Services 0 1,656 K"
## [126] "ApplicationFrameHost.exe 15276 Console 1 2,396 K"
## [127] "svchost.exe 16408 Services 0 688 K"
## [128] "svchost.exe 14604 Services 0 1,084 K"
## [129] "svchost.exe 16388 Console 1 4,860 K"
## [130] "UserOOBEBroker.exe 17012 Console 1 3,596 K"
## [131] "svchost.exe 12720 Services 0 8,920 K"
## [132] "svchost.exe 2532 Console 1 8,592 K"
## [133] "LocationNotificationWindo 14816 Console 1 216 K"
## [134] "svchost.exe 16552 Services 0 4,512 K"
## [135] "svchost.exe 19300 Services 0 1,204 K"
## [136] "svchost.exe 13968 Console 1 1,440 K"
## [137] "dllhost.exe 10064 Console 1 2,084 K"
## [138] "svchost.exe 9468 Services 0 620 K"
## [139] "svchost.exe 10760 Services 0 1,860 K"
## [140] "dllhost.exe 5764 Console 1 4,408 K"
## [141] "com.geocomply.process-sca 9028 Services 0 13,396 K"
## [142] "com.geocomply.vm-detector 10532 Services 0 808 K"
## [143] "crash_handler.exe 6824 Services 0 1,000 K"
## [144] "crash_handler.exe 7556 Services 0 972 K"
## [145] "com.geocomply.wifi-scanne 6768 Services 0 820 K"
## [146] "crash_handler.exe 10316 Services 0 972 K"
## [147] "com.geocomply.internal-up 13436 Services 0 812 K"
## [148] "crash_handler.exe 11364 Services 0 992 K"
## [149] "service.exe 11432 Services 0 644 K"
## [150] "crash_handler.exe 9600 Services 0 976 K"
## [151] "PlayerLocationIcon.exe 11800 Console 1 2,944 K"
## [152] "taskhostw.exe 9332 Console 1 1,392 K"
## [153] "svchost.exe 3532 Services 0 11,984 K"
## [154] "svchost.exe 9724 Services 0 992 K"
## [155] "LockApp.exe 19512 Console 1 1,704 K"
## [156] "RuntimeBroker.exe 19564 Console 1 6,600 K"
## [157] "ctfmon.exe 8104 Console 1 8,788 K"
## [158] "ShellExperienceHost.exe 20764 Console 1 11,872 K"
## [159] "RuntimeBroker.exe 6444 Console 1 5,280 K"
## [160] "SystemSettingsBroker.exe 8756 Console 1 7,328 K"
## [161] "MpDefenderCoreService.exe 19184 Services 0 9,572 K"
## [162] "MsMpEng.exe 19736 Services 0 147,380 K"
## [163] "NisSrv.exe 11068 Services 0 3,472 K"
## [164] "dllhost.exe 7256 Console 1 552 K"
## [165] "svchost.exe 5976 Services 0 904 K"
## [166] "SearchHost.exe 14024 Console 1 4,620 K"
## [167] "OfficeClickToRun.exe 18588 Services 0 7,812 K"
## [168] "AppVShNotify.exe 18984 Console 1 28 K"
## [169] "WINWORD.EXE 520 Console 1 20,344 K"
## [170] "ai.exe 16652 Console 1 1,212 K"
## [171] "ai.exe 11176 Console 1 344 K"
## [172] "SearchIndexer.exe 7976 Services 0 16,416 K"
## [173] "SysInfoCap.exe 10812 Services 0 4,824 K"
## [174] "AppHelperCap.exe 2616 Services 0 6,872 K"
## [175] "NetworkCap.exe 11352 Services 0 20 K"
## [176] "DiagsCap.exe 18812 Services 0 1,732 K"
## [177] "svchost.exe 4340 Services 0 4,616 K"
## [178] "hp-one-agent-service.exe 10228 Services 0 4,952 K"
## [179] "chrome.exe 816 Console 1 116,616 K"
## [180] "chrome.exe 8128 Console 1 1,756 K"
## [181] "chrome.exe 12280 Console 1 79,972 K"
## [182] "chrome.exe 11444 Console 1 23,140 K"
## [183] "chrome.exe 20508 Console 1 6,080 K"
## [184] "chrome.exe 7040 Console 1 3,460 K"
## [185] "chrome.exe 6336 Console 1 8,168 K"
## [186] "chrome.exe 5812 Console 1 6,900 K"
## [187] "rstudio.exe 15048 Console 1 65,072 K"
## [188] "rstudio.exe 3120 Console 1 84,080 K"
## [189] "rstudio.exe 10884 Console 1 9,456 K"
## [190] "rstudio.exe 2720 Console 1 234,924 K"
## [191] "svchost.exe 15500 Services 0 3,236 K"
## [192] "HPSystemEventUtilityHost. 18524 Console 1 2,956 K"
## [193] "OneDrive.exe 15436 Console 1 62,968 K"
## [194] "chrome.exe 5640 Console 1 443,240 K"
## [195] "BridgeCommunication.exe 6636 Console 1 2,264 K"
## [196] "chrome.exe 21764 Console 1 11,804 K"
## [197] "chrome.exe 14140 Console 1 7,320 K"
## [198] "chrome.exe 7132 Console 1 12,832 K"
## [199] "chrome.exe 21304 Console 1 8,652 K"
## [200] "chrome.exe 21880 Console 1 4,260 K"
## [201] "chrome.exe 18264 Console 1 215,504 K"
## [202] "rsession-utf8.exe 19780 Console 1 96,420 K"
## [203] "conhost.exe 22152 Console 1 724 K"
## [204] "crashpad_handler.exe 20248 Console 1 620 K"
## [205] "chrome.exe 21744 Console 1 16,672 K"
## [206] "chrome.exe 6516 Console 1 6,388 K"
## [207] "chrome.exe 16036 Console 1 4,124 K"
## [208] "chrome.exe 15232 Console 1 10,588 K"
## [209] "chrome.exe 9340 Console 1 7,632 K"
## [210] "SnippingTool.exe 15424 Console 1 12,880 K"
## [211] "chrome.exe 20592 Console 1 8,688 K"
## [212] "chrome.exe 21816 Console 1 6,896 K"
## [213] "chrome.exe 5744 Console 1 6,436 K"
## [214] "svchost.exe 21972 Services 0 708 K"
## [215] "msedge.exe 19100 Console 1 46,340 K"
## [216] "msedge.exe 15068 Console 1 1,924 K"
## [217] "msedge.exe 21980 Console 1 34,780 K"
## [218] "msedge.exe 19536 Console 1 12,484 K"
## [219] "msedge.exe 6852 Console 1 4,948 K"
## [220] "msedge.exe 10748 Console 1 8,164 K"
## [221] "RuntimeBroker.exe 18212 Console 1 6,944 K"
## [222] "svchost.exe 9184 Services 0 2,644 K"
## [223] "svchost.exe 9832 Services 0 3,684 K"
## [224] "Widgets.exe 812 Console 1 15,528 K"
## [225] "WidgetService.exe 20768 Console 1 2,340 K"
## [226] "msedgewebview2.exe 11008 Console 1 5,120 K"
## [227] "msedgewebview2.exe 5608 Console 1 1,316 K"
## [228] "msedgewebview2.exe 21944 Console 1 3,928 K"
## [229] "msedgewebview2.exe 12128 Console 1 956 K"
## [230] "msedgewebview2.exe 13460 Console 1 16 K"
## [231] "msedgewebview2.exe 304 Console 1 1,020 K"
## [232] "msedgewebview2.exe 11544 Console 1 720 K"
## [233] "chrome.exe 7236 Console 1 30,136 K"
## [234] "audiodg.exe 21076 Services 0 15,892 K"
## [235] "msedge.exe 15744 Console 1 19,160 K"
## [236] "msedge.exe 16672 Console 1 13,020 K"
## [237] "msedge.exe 22208 Console 1 14,772 K"
## [238] "msedge.exe 6240 Console 1 6,380 K"
## [239] "msedge.exe 20648 Console 1 5,720 K"
## [240] "msedge.exe 22428 Console 1 6,844 K"
## [241] "msedge.exe 12472 Console 1 9,480 K"
## [242] "msedge.exe 6948 Console 1 3,412 K"
## [243] "svchost.exe 14856 Services 0 7,080 K"
## [244] "WmiPrvSE.exe 7644 Services 0 12,060 K"
## [245] "SearchProtocolHost.exe 820 Services 0 11,024 K"
## [246] "chrome.exe 13876 Console 1 57,036 K"
## [247] "chrome.exe 18084 Console 1 58,212 K"
## [248] "FileCoAuth.exe 5660 Console 1 18,124 K"
## [249] "Rterm.exe 9996 Console 1 84,152 K"
## [250] "backgroundTaskHost.exe 21696 Console 1 12,568 K"
## [251] "tasklist.exe 3372 Console 1 9,448 K"
## [252] "conhost.exe 10956 Console 1 12,372 K"
# Using system2
# Capture output using system2 with tasklist
system2("tasklist", stdout = TRUE)
## [1] ""
## [2] "Image Name PID Session Name Session# Mem Usage"
## [3] "========================= ======== ================ =========== ============"
## [4] "System Idle Process 0 Services 0 8 K"
## [5] "System 4 Services 0 12 K"
## [6] "Registry 88 Services 0 17,888 K"
## [7] "smss.exe 404 Services 0 152 K"
## [8] "csrss.exe 692 Services 0 732 K"
## [9] "csrss.exe 780 Console 1 1,916 K"
## [10] "wininit.exe 788 Services 0 456 K"
## [11] "winlogon.exe 844 Console 1 2,172 K"
## [12] "services.exe 908 Services 0 4,496 K"
## [13] "lsass.exe 952 Services 0 10,788 K"
## [14] "svchost.exe 492 Services 0 22,888 K"
## [15] "fontdrvhost.exe 484 Console 1 412 K"
## [16] "fontdrvhost.exe 8 Services 0 656 K"
## [17] "WUDFHost.exe 668 Services 0 620 K"
## [18] "svchost.exe 1128 Services 0 14,748 K"
## [19] "svchost.exe 1180 Services 0 3,280 K"
## [20] "dwm.exe 1252 Console 1 65,128 K"
## [21] "svchost.exe 1324 Services 0 10,260 K"
## [22] "svchost.exe 1388 Services 0 1,624 K"
## [23] "svchost.exe 1400 Services 0 3,580 K"
## [24] "svchost.exe 1412 Services 0 3,068 K"
## [25] "svchost.exe 1480 Services 0 2,800 K"
## [26] "svchost.exe 1488 Services 0 3,756 K"
## [27] "svchost.exe 1524 Services 0 1,040 K"
## [28] "svchost.exe 1612 Services 0 2,312 K"
## [29] "IntelCpHDCPSvc.exe 1656 Services 0 16 K"
## [30] "svchost.exe 1740 Services 0 6,512 K"
## [31] "svchost.exe 1752 Services 0 4,432 K"
## [32] "svchost.exe 1776 Services 0 3,904 K"
## [33] "svchost.exe 1896 Services 0 7,460 K"
## [34] "IntelCpHeciSvc.exe 2000 Services 0 16 K"
## [35] "svchost.exe 684 Services 0 5,068 K"
## [36] "svchost.exe 1868 Services 0 4,356 K"
## [37] "svchost.exe 2168 Services 0 1,636 K"
## [38] "svchost.exe 2184 Services 0 5,076 K"
## [39] "svchost.exe 2232 Services 0 4,040 K"
## [40] "svchost.exe 2240 Services 0 904 K"
## [41] "svchost.exe 2268 Services 0 1,220 K"
## [42] "svchost.exe 2440 Services 0 204 K"
## [43] "Memory Compression 2448 Services 0 61,392 K"
## [44] "svchost.exe 2552 Services 0 1,640 K"
## [45] "igfxCUIService.exe 2572 Services 0 16 K"
## [46] "svchost.exe 2664 Services 0 1,356 K"
## [47] "svchost.exe 2672 Services 0 1,412 K"
## [48] "TouchpointAnalyticsClient 2836 Services 0 21,200 K"
## [49] "svchost.exe 3044 Services 0 756 K"
## [50] "svchost.exe 3124 Services 0 6,380 K"
## [51] "svchost.exe 3176 Services 0 9,168 K"
## [52] "svchost.exe 3352 Services 0 2,008 K"
## [53] "svchost.exe 3572 Services 0 1,124 K"
## [54] "svchost.exe 3616 Services 0 11,060 K"
## [55] "svchost.exe 3680 Services 0 1,320 K"
## [56] "svchost.exe 3784 Services 0 852 K"
## [57] "svchost.exe 3832 Services 0 2,392 K"
## [58] "svchost.exe 3840 Services 0 1,468 K"
## [59] "svchost.exe 3848 Services 0 2,192 K"
## [60] "svchost.exe 4028 Services 0 3,464 K"
## [61] "svchost.exe 4088 Services 0 6,168 K"
## [62] "svchost.exe 1832 Services 0 2,252 K"
## [63] "spoolsv.exe 3024 Services 0 356 K"
## [64] "svchost.exe 3100 Services 0 3,688 K"
## [65] "svchost.exe 2952 Services 0 1,820 K"
## [66] "unsecapp.exe 4308 Services 0 2,076 K"
## [67] "WmiPrvSE.exe 4360 Services 0 6,140 K"
## [68] "svchost.exe 4644 Services 0 20,580 K"
## [69] "svchost.exe 4660 Services 0 13,576 K"
## [70] "ETDService.exe 4684 Services 0 8 K"
## [71] "OneApp.IGCC.WinService.ex 4736 Services 0 7,632 K"
## [72] "svchost.exe 4760 Services 0 2,624 K"
## [73] "svchost.exe 4828 Services 0 2,424 K"
## [74] "RtkAudUService64.exe 4880 Services 0 1,284 K"
## [75] "RtkBtManServ.exe 4892 Services 0 1,372 K"
## [76] "svchost.exe 4912 Services 0 1,028 K"
## [77] "SynAudSrv.exe 4936 Services 0 780 K"
## [78] "CxAudioSvc.exe 4952 Services 0 8,888 K"
## [79] "svchost.exe 5032 Services 0 264 K"
## [80] "svchost.exe 5068 Services 0 8,312 K"
## [81] "ETDCtrlHelper.exe 716 Console 1 28 K"
## [82] "AggregatorHost.exe 1668 Services 0 1,628 K"
## [83] "esif_uf.exe 5172 Services 0 800 K"
## [84] "svchost.exe 1464 Services 0 3,928 K"
## [85] "svchost.exe 11920 Services 0 7,208 K"
## [86] "svchost.exe 12204 Services 0 6,648 K"
## [87] "svchost.exe 1940 Services 0 5,628 K"
## [88] "svchost.exe 5124 Services 0 1,680 K"
## [89] "MoUsoCoreWorker.exe 6020 Services 0 2,548 K"
## [90] "svchost.exe 2288 Services 0 2,596 K"
## [91] "svchost.exe 3952 Services 0 1,300 K"
## [92] "ETDCtrl.exe 12156 Console 1 3,092 K"
## [93] "sihost.exe 11804 Console 1 13,580 K"
## [94] "svchost.exe 11872 Console 1 1,040 K"
## [95] "svchost.exe 436 Console 1 2,984 K"
## [96] "svchost.exe 3520 Console 1 964 K"
## [97] "svchost.exe 5024 Console 1 11,780 K"
## [98] "svchost.exe 12368 Services 0 9,936 K"
## [99] "igfxEM.exe 12384 Console 1 1,448 K"
## [100] "taskhostw.exe 12464 Console 1 9,192 K"
## [101] "ETDTouch.exe 12596 Console 1 564 K"
## [102] "explorer.exe 12940 Console 1 101,644 K"
## [103] "RtkAudUService64.exe 12952 Console 1 2,544 K"
## [104] "svchost.exe 12744 Console 1 17,348 K"
## [105] "svchost.exe 712 Services 0 4,024 K"
## [106] "StartMenuExperienceHost.e 13416 Console 1 11,984 K"
## [107] "RuntimeBroker.exe 13508 Console 1 7,976 K"
## [108] "RuntimeBroker.exe 13604 Console 1 9,460 K"
## [109] "svchost.exe 13760 Console 1 2,468 K"
## [110] "dllhost.exe 13996 Console 1 3,908 K"
## [111] "TextInputHost.exe 12812 Console 1 42,880 K"
## [112] "svchost.exe 15188 Console 1 10,764 K"
## [113] "SecurityHealthSystray.exe 14900 Console 1 2,632 K"
## [114] "SecurityHealthService.exe 15184 Services 0 6,564 K"
## [115] "RtkAudUService64.exe 15132 Console 1 2,608 K"
## [116] "HPSystemEventUtilityBackg 15968 Console 1 8,280 K"
## [117] "svchost.exe 15716 Services 0 1,176 K"
## [118] "unsecapp.exe 16332 Console 1 3,328 K"
## [119] "HPMediaNetwork.exe 15620 Console 1 4,172 K"
## [120] "svchost.exe 428 Services 0 3,892 K"
## [121] "DesktopExtension.exe 16492 Console 1 4,392 K"
## [122] "HP.myHP.exe 16572 Console 1 5,060 K"
## [123] "RuntimeBroker.exe 16620 Console 1 1,544 K"
## [124] "svchost.exe 2764 Console 1 1,592 K"
## [125] "svchost.exe 15304 Services 0 1,656 K"
## [126] "ApplicationFrameHost.exe 15276 Console 1 2,396 K"
## [127] "svchost.exe 16408 Services 0 688 K"
## [128] "svchost.exe 14604 Services 0 1,084 K"
## [129] "svchost.exe 16388 Console 1 4,860 K"
## [130] "UserOOBEBroker.exe 17012 Console 1 3,596 K"
## [131] "svchost.exe 12720 Services 0 8,920 K"
## [132] "svchost.exe 2532 Console 1 8,592 K"
## [133] "LocationNotificationWindo 14816 Console 1 216 K"
## [134] "svchost.exe 16552 Services 0 4,512 K"
## [135] "svchost.exe 19300 Services 0 1,204 K"
## [136] "svchost.exe 13968 Console 1 1,440 K"
## [137] "dllhost.exe 10064 Console 1 2,084 K"
## [138] "svchost.exe 9468 Services 0 620 K"
## [139] "svchost.exe 10760 Services 0 1,860 K"
## [140] "dllhost.exe 5764 Console 1 4,408 K"
## [141] "com.geocomply.process-sca 9028 Services 0 13,396 K"
## [142] "com.geocomply.vm-detector 10532 Services 0 808 K"
## [143] "crash_handler.exe 6824 Services 0 1,000 K"
## [144] "crash_handler.exe 7556 Services 0 972 K"
## [145] "com.geocomply.wifi-scanne 6768 Services 0 820 K"
## [146] "crash_handler.exe 10316 Services 0 972 K"
## [147] "com.geocomply.internal-up 13436 Services 0 812 K"
## [148] "crash_handler.exe 11364 Services 0 992 K"
## [149] "service.exe 11432 Services 0 644 K"
## [150] "crash_handler.exe 9600 Services 0 976 K"
## [151] "PlayerLocationIcon.exe 11800 Console 1 2,944 K"
## [152] "taskhostw.exe 9332 Console 1 1,392 K"
## [153] "svchost.exe 3532 Services 0 11,984 K"
## [154] "svchost.exe 9724 Services 0 992 K"
## [155] "LockApp.exe 19512 Console 1 1,704 K"
## [156] "RuntimeBroker.exe 19564 Console 1 6,600 K"
## [157] "ctfmon.exe 8104 Console 1 8,788 K"
## [158] "ShellExperienceHost.exe 20764 Console 1 11,872 K"
## [159] "RuntimeBroker.exe 6444 Console 1 5,280 K"
## [160] "SystemSettingsBroker.exe 8756 Console 1 7,328 K"
## [161] "MpDefenderCoreService.exe 19184 Services 0 9,572 K"
## [162] "MsMpEng.exe 19736 Services 0 146,840 K"
## [163] "NisSrv.exe 11068 Services 0 3,472 K"
## [164] "dllhost.exe 7256 Console 1 552 K"
## [165] "svchost.exe 5976 Services 0 904 K"
## [166] "SearchHost.exe 14024 Console 1 4,620 K"
## [167] "OfficeClickToRun.exe 18588 Services 0 7,812 K"
## [168] "AppVShNotify.exe 18984 Console 1 28 K"
## [169] "WINWORD.EXE 520 Console 1 20,344 K"
## [170] "ai.exe 16652 Console 1 1,212 K"
## [171] "ai.exe 11176 Console 1 344 K"
## [172] "SearchIndexer.exe 7976 Services 0 16,432 K"
## [173] "SysInfoCap.exe 10812 Services 0 4,824 K"
## [174] "AppHelperCap.exe 2616 Services 0 6,872 K"
## [175] "NetworkCap.exe 11352 Services 0 20 K"
## [176] "DiagsCap.exe 18812 Services 0 1,732 K"
## [177] "svchost.exe 4340 Services 0 4,600 K"
## [178] "hp-one-agent-service.exe 10228 Services 0 4,952 K"
## [179] "chrome.exe 816 Console 1 116,800 K"
## [180] "chrome.exe 8128 Console 1 1,756 K"
## [181] "chrome.exe 12280 Console 1 79,972 K"
## [182] "chrome.exe 11444 Console 1 23,140 K"
## [183] "chrome.exe 20508 Console 1 6,080 K"
## [184] "chrome.exe 7040 Console 1 3,460 K"
## [185] "chrome.exe 6336 Console 1 8,168 K"
## [186] "chrome.exe 5812 Console 1 6,900 K"
## [187] "rstudio.exe 15048 Console 1 64,996 K"
## [188] "rstudio.exe 3120 Console 1 83,840 K"
## [189] "rstudio.exe 10884 Console 1 9,448 K"
## [190] "rstudio.exe 2720 Console 1 234,964 K"
## [191] "svchost.exe 15500 Services 0 3,236 K"
## [192] "HPSystemEventUtilityHost. 18524 Console 1 2,956 K"
## [193] "OneDrive.exe 15436 Console 1 63,192 K"
## [194] "chrome.exe 5640 Console 1 445,720 K"
## [195] "BridgeCommunication.exe 6636 Console 1 2,264 K"
## [196] "chrome.exe 21764 Console 1 11,804 K"
## [197] "chrome.exe 14140 Console 1 7,320 K"
## [198] "chrome.exe 7132 Console 1 12,832 K"
## [199] "chrome.exe 21304 Console 1 8,652 K"
## [200] "chrome.exe 21880 Console 1 4,260 K"
## [201] "chrome.exe 18264 Console 1 215,504 K"
## [202] "rsession-utf8.exe 19780 Console 1 96,420 K"
## [203] "conhost.exe 22152 Console 1 724 K"
## [204] "crashpad_handler.exe 20248 Console 1 620 K"
## [205] "chrome.exe 21744 Console 1 16,676 K"
## [206] "chrome.exe 6516 Console 1 6,388 K"
## [207] "chrome.exe 16036 Console 1 4,124 K"
## [208] "chrome.exe 15232 Console 1 10,592 K"
## [209] "chrome.exe 9340 Console 1 7,632 K"
## [210] "SnippingTool.exe 15424 Console 1 12,880 K"
## [211] "chrome.exe 20592 Console 1 8,688 K"
## [212] "chrome.exe 21816 Console 1 6,896 K"
## [213] "chrome.exe 5744 Console 1 6,436 K"
## [214] "svchost.exe 21972 Services 0 708 K"
## [215] "msedge.exe 19100 Console 1 46,340 K"
## [216] "msedge.exe 15068 Console 1 1,924 K"
## [217] "msedge.exe 21980 Console 1 34,780 K"
## [218] "msedge.exe 19536 Console 1 12,484 K"
## [219] "msedge.exe 6852 Console 1 4,948 K"
## [220] "msedge.exe 10748 Console 1 8,164 K"
## [221] "RuntimeBroker.exe 18212 Console 1 6,944 K"
## [222] "svchost.exe 9184 Services 0 2,644 K"
## [223] "svchost.exe 9832 Services 0 3,684 K"
## [224] "Widgets.exe 812 Console 1 15,528 K"
## [225] "WidgetService.exe 20768 Console 1 2,340 K"
## [226] "msedgewebview2.exe 11008 Console 1 5,120 K"
## [227] "msedgewebview2.exe 5608 Console 1 1,316 K"
## [228] "msedgewebview2.exe 21944 Console 1 3,928 K"
## [229] "msedgewebview2.exe 12128 Console 1 956 K"
## [230] "msedgewebview2.exe 13460 Console 1 16 K"
## [231] "msedgewebview2.exe 304 Console 1 1,020 K"
## [232] "msedgewebview2.exe 11544 Console 1 720 K"
## [233] "chrome.exe 7236 Console 1 30,136 K"
## [234] "audiodg.exe 21076 Services 0 15,892 K"
## [235] "msedge.exe 15744 Console 1 19,160 K"
## [236] "msedge.exe 16672 Console 1 13,020 K"
## [237] "msedge.exe 22208 Console 1 14,772 K"
## [238] "msedge.exe 6240 Console 1 6,380 K"
## [239] "msedge.exe 20648 Console 1 5,720 K"
## [240] "msedge.exe 22428 Console 1 6,844 K"
## [241] "msedge.exe 12472 Console 1 9,480 K"
## [242] "msedge.exe 6948 Console 1 3,412 K"
## [243] "svchost.exe 14856 Services 0 7,080 K"
## [244] "WmiPrvSE.exe 7644 Services 0 12,152 K"
## [245] "SearchProtocolHost.exe 820 Services 0 11,024 K"
## [246] "chrome.exe 13876 Console 1 56,512 K"
## [247] "chrome.exe 18084 Console 1 58,212 K"
## [248] "FileCoAuth.exe 5660 Console 1 18,124 K"
## [249] "Rterm.exe 9996 Console 1 82,960 K"
## [250] "backgroundTaskHost.exe 21696 Console 1 15,824 K"
## [251] "tasklist.exe 8896 Console 1 9,424 K"
## [252] "conhost.exe 2740 Console 1 12,440 K"
# Both functions return output as a character vector, where each line from the command output becomes an element in the vector. For example, the output may look like this:
# Each line is a separate element in the character vector, making it straightforward to extract and process specific lines or details as needed.
# Using devtools for Simpler Command Execution
# The devtools package offers an alternative approach with system_output, which captures the command’s output without requiring additional parameters. This function is useful for developers who want a more streamlined syntax:
# Using devtools::system_output
# For Windows, I’ll use "tasklist" instead of "top" to capture running tasks
# Using system to capture tasklist output as a character vector
task_output <- system("tasklist", intern = TRUE)
print(task_output)
## [1] ""
## [2] "Image Name PID Session Name Session# Mem Usage"
## [3] "========================= ======== ================ =========== ============"
## [4] "System Idle Process 0 Services 0 8 K"
## [5] "System 4 Services 0 12 K"
## [6] "Registry 88 Services 0 17,888 K"
## [7] "smss.exe 404 Services 0 152 K"
## [8] "csrss.exe 692 Services 0 740 K"
## [9] "csrss.exe 780 Console 1 1,916 K"
## [10] "wininit.exe 788 Services 0 456 K"
## [11] "winlogon.exe 844 Console 1 2,172 K"
## [12] "services.exe 908 Services 0 4,496 K"
## [13] "lsass.exe 952 Services 0 10,792 K"
## [14] "svchost.exe 492 Services 0 22,912 K"
## [15] "fontdrvhost.exe 484 Console 1 412 K"
## [16] "fontdrvhost.exe 8 Services 0 656 K"
## [17] "WUDFHost.exe 668 Services 0 620 K"
## [18] "svchost.exe 1128 Services 0 14,844 K"
## [19] "svchost.exe 1180 Services 0 3,280 K"
## [20] "dwm.exe 1252 Console 1 65,136 K"
## [21] "svchost.exe 1324 Services 0 10,260 K"
## [22] "svchost.exe 1388 Services 0 1,624 K"
## [23] "svchost.exe 1400 Services 0 3,580 K"
## [24] "svchost.exe 1412 Services 0 3,068 K"
## [25] "svchost.exe 1480 Services 0 2,800 K"
## [26] "svchost.exe 1488 Services 0 3,756 K"
## [27] "svchost.exe 1524 Services 0 1,040 K"
## [28] "svchost.exe 1612 Services 0 2,312 K"
## [29] "IntelCpHDCPSvc.exe 1656 Services 0 16 K"
## [30] "svchost.exe 1740 Services 0 6,512 K"
## [31] "svchost.exe 1752 Services 0 4,432 K"
## [32] "svchost.exe 1776 Services 0 3,904 K"
## [33] "svchost.exe 1896 Services 0 7,460 K"
## [34] "IntelCpHeciSvc.exe 2000 Services 0 16 K"
## [35] "svchost.exe 684 Services 0 5,068 K"
## [36] "svchost.exe 1868 Services 0 4,356 K"
## [37] "svchost.exe 2168 Services 0 1,636 K"
## [38] "svchost.exe 2184 Services 0 5,076 K"
## [39] "svchost.exe 2232 Services 0 4,040 K"
## [40] "svchost.exe 2240 Services 0 904 K"
## [41] "svchost.exe 2268 Services 0 1,220 K"
## [42] "svchost.exe 2440 Services 0 204 K"
## [43] "Memory Compression 2448 Services 0 64,456 K"
## [44] "svchost.exe 2552 Services 0 1,640 K"
## [45] "igfxCUIService.exe 2572 Services 0 16 K"
## [46] "svchost.exe 2664 Services 0 1,356 K"
## [47] "svchost.exe 2672 Services 0 1,412 K"
## [48] "TouchpointAnalyticsClient 2836 Services 0 21,200 K"
## [49] "svchost.exe 3044 Services 0 756 K"
## [50] "svchost.exe 3124 Services 0 6,380 K"
## [51] "svchost.exe 3176 Services 0 9,116 K"
## [52] "svchost.exe 3352 Services 0 2,008 K"
## [53] "svchost.exe 3572 Services 0 1,124 K"
## [54] "svchost.exe 3616 Services 0 11,116 K"
## [55] "svchost.exe 3680 Services 0 1,320 K"
## [56] "svchost.exe 3784 Services 0 852 K"
## [57] "svchost.exe 3832 Services 0 2,392 K"
## [58] "svchost.exe 3840 Services 0 1,468 K"
## [59] "svchost.exe 3848 Services 0 2,192 K"
## [60] "svchost.exe 4028 Services 0 3,464 K"
## [61] "svchost.exe 4088 Services 0 6,168 K"
## [62] "svchost.exe 1832 Services 0 2,252 K"
## [63] "spoolsv.exe 3024 Services 0 356 K"
## [64] "svchost.exe 3100 Services 0 3,688 K"
## [65] "svchost.exe 2952 Services 0 1,820 K"
## [66] "unsecapp.exe 4308 Services 0 2,076 K"
## [67] "WmiPrvSE.exe 4360 Services 0 6,140 K"
## [68] "svchost.exe 4644 Services 0 20,600 K"
## [69] "svchost.exe 4660 Services 0 13,580 K"
## [70] "ETDService.exe 4684 Services 0 8 K"
## [71] "OneApp.IGCC.WinService.ex 4736 Services 0 7,632 K"
## [72] "svchost.exe 4760 Services 0 2,624 K"
## [73] "svchost.exe 4828 Services 0 2,424 K"
## [74] "RtkAudUService64.exe 4880 Services 0 1,284 K"
## [75] "RtkBtManServ.exe 4892 Services 0 1,372 K"
## [76] "svchost.exe 4912 Services 0 1,028 K"
## [77] "SynAudSrv.exe 4936 Services 0 780 K"
## [78] "CxAudioSvc.exe 4952 Services 0 8,888 K"
## [79] "svchost.exe 5032 Services 0 264 K"
## [80] "svchost.exe 5068 Services 0 8,312 K"
## [81] "ETDCtrlHelper.exe 716 Console 1 28 K"
## [82] "AggregatorHost.exe 1668 Services 0 1,628 K"
## [83] "esif_uf.exe 5172 Services 0 800 K"
## [84] "svchost.exe 1464 Services 0 3,928 K"
## [85] "svchost.exe 11920 Services 0 7,208 K"
## [86] "svchost.exe 12204 Services 0 6,652 K"
## [87] "svchost.exe 1940 Services 0 5,628 K"
## [88] "svchost.exe 5124 Services 0 1,680 K"
## [89] "MoUsoCoreWorker.exe 6020 Services 0 2,548 K"
## [90] "svchost.exe 2288 Services 0 2,596 K"
## [91] "svchost.exe 3952 Services 0 1,300 K"
## [92] "ETDCtrl.exe 12156 Console 1 3,092 K"
## [93] "sihost.exe 11804 Console 1 13,580 K"
## [94] "svchost.exe 11872 Console 1 1,040 K"
## [95] "svchost.exe 436 Console 1 2,984 K"
## [96] "svchost.exe 3520 Console 1 964 K"
## [97] "svchost.exe 5024 Console 1 11,780 K"
## [98] "svchost.exe 12368 Services 0 9,936 K"
## [99] "igfxEM.exe 12384 Console 1 1,448 K"
## [100] "taskhostw.exe 12464 Console 1 9,192 K"
## [101] "ETDTouch.exe 12596 Console 1 564 K"
## [102] "explorer.exe 12940 Console 1 102,192 K"
## [103] "RtkAudUService64.exe 12952 Console 1 2,544 K"
## [104] "svchost.exe 12744 Console 1 17,268 K"
## [105] "svchost.exe 712 Services 0 4,024 K"
## [106] "StartMenuExperienceHost.e 13416 Console 1 11,984 K"
## [107] "RuntimeBroker.exe 13508 Console 1 7,976 K"
## [108] "RuntimeBroker.exe 13604 Console 1 9,460 K"
## [109] "svchost.exe 13760 Console 1 2,560 K"
## [110] "dllhost.exe 13996 Console 1 3,908 K"
## [111] "TextInputHost.exe 12812 Console 1 42,880 K"
## [112] "svchost.exe 15188 Console 1 10,764 K"
## [113] "SecurityHealthSystray.exe 14900 Console 1 2,632 K"
## [114] "SecurityHealthService.exe 15184 Services 0 6,564 K"
## [115] "RtkAudUService64.exe 15132 Console 1 2,608 K"
## [116] "HPSystemEventUtilityBackg 15968 Console 1 8,280 K"
## [117] "svchost.exe 15716 Services 0 1,176 K"
## [118] "unsecapp.exe 16332 Console 1 3,328 K"
## [119] "HPMediaNetwork.exe 15620 Console 1 4,172 K"
## [120] "svchost.exe 428 Services 0 3,892 K"
## [121] "DesktopExtension.exe 16492 Console 1 4,392 K"
## [122] "HP.myHP.exe 16572 Console 1 5,060 K"
## [123] "RuntimeBroker.exe 16620 Console 1 1,544 K"
## [124] "svchost.exe 2764 Console 1 1,592 K"
## [125] "svchost.exe 15304 Services 0 1,656 K"
## [126] "ApplicationFrameHost.exe 15276 Console 1 2,396 K"
## [127] "svchost.exe 16408 Services 0 688 K"
## [128] "svchost.exe 14604 Services 0 1,084 K"
## [129] "svchost.exe 16388 Console 1 4,860 K"
## [130] "UserOOBEBroker.exe 17012 Console 1 3,596 K"
## [131] "svchost.exe 12720 Services 0 8,920 K"
## [132] "svchost.exe 2532 Console 1 8,592 K"
## [133] "LocationNotificationWindo 14816 Console 1 216 K"
## [134] "svchost.exe 16552 Services 0 4,512 K"
## [135] "svchost.exe 19300 Services 0 1,204 K"
## [136] "svchost.exe 13968 Console 1 1,440 K"
## [137] "dllhost.exe 10064 Console 1 2,084 K"
## [138] "svchost.exe 9468 Services 0 620 K"
## [139] "svchost.exe 10760 Services 0 1,860 K"
## [140] "dllhost.exe 5764 Console 1 4,436 K"
## [141] "com.geocomply.process-sca 9028 Services 0 13,396 K"
## [142] "com.geocomply.vm-detector 10532 Services 0 808 K"
## [143] "crash_handler.exe 6824 Services 0 1,000 K"
## [144] "crash_handler.exe 7556 Services 0 972 K"
## [145] "com.geocomply.wifi-scanne 6768 Services 0 820 K"
## [146] "crash_handler.exe 10316 Services 0 972 K"
## [147] "com.geocomply.internal-up 13436 Services 0 812 K"
## [148] "crash_handler.exe 11364 Services 0 992 K"
## [149] "service.exe 11432 Services 0 644 K"
## [150] "crash_handler.exe 9600 Services 0 976 K"
## [151] "PlayerLocationIcon.exe 11800 Console 1 2,944 K"
## [152] "taskhostw.exe 9332 Console 1 1,392 K"
## [153] "svchost.exe 3532 Services 0 11,984 K"
## [154] "svchost.exe 9724 Services 0 992 K"
## [155] "LockApp.exe 19512 Console 1 1,704 K"
## [156] "RuntimeBroker.exe 19564 Console 1 6,600 K"
## [157] "ctfmon.exe 8104 Console 1 8,788 K"
## [158] "ShellExperienceHost.exe 20764 Console 1 11,872 K"
## [159] "RuntimeBroker.exe 6444 Console 1 5,280 K"
## [160] "SystemSettingsBroker.exe 8756 Console 1 7,328 K"
## [161] "MpDefenderCoreService.exe 19184 Services 0 9,572 K"
## [162] "MsMpEng.exe 19736 Services 0 147,360 K"
## [163] "NisSrv.exe 11068 Services 0 3,472 K"
## [164] "dllhost.exe 7256 Console 1 552 K"
## [165] "svchost.exe 5976 Services 0 904 K"
## [166] "SearchHost.exe 14024 Console 1 4,620 K"
## [167] "OfficeClickToRun.exe 18588 Services 0 7,840 K"
## [168] "AppVShNotify.exe 18984 Console 1 28 K"
## [169] "WINWORD.EXE 520 Console 1 20,344 K"
## [170] "ai.exe 16652 Console 1 1,212 K"
## [171] "ai.exe 11176 Console 1 344 K"
## [172] "SearchIndexer.exe 7976 Services 0 16,452 K"
## [173] "SysInfoCap.exe 10812 Services 0 4,824 K"
## [174] "AppHelperCap.exe 2616 Services 0 6,872 K"
## [175] "NetworkCap.exe 11352 Services 0 20 K"
## [176] "DiagsCap.exe 18812 Services 0 1,732 K"
## [177] "svchost.exe 4340 Services 0 4,612 K"
## [178] "hp-one-agent-service.exe 10228 Services 0 4,952 K"
## [179] "chrome.exe 816 Console 1 116,800 K"
## [180] "chrome.exe 8128 Console 1 1,756 K"
## [181] "chrome.exe 12280 Console 1 79,972 K"
## [182] "chrome.exe 11444 Console 1 23,140 K"
## [183] "chrome.exe 20508 Console 1 6,080 K"
## [184] "chrome.exe 7040 Console 1 3,460 K"
## [185] "chrome.exe 6336 Console 1 8,168 K"
## [186] "chrome.exe 5812 Console 1 6,900 K"
## [187] "rstudio.exe 15048 Console 1 64,996 K"
## [188] "rstudio.exe 3120 Console 1 68,492 K"
## [189] "rstudio.exe 10884 Console 1 9,456 K"
## [190] "rstudio.exe 2720 Console 1 235,040 K"
## [191] "svchost.exe 15500 Services 0 3,236 K"
## [192] "HPSystemEventUtilityHost. 18524 Console 1 2,956 K"
## [193] "OneDrive.exe 15436 Console 1 63,264 K"
## [194] "chrome.exe 5640 Console 1 446,136 K"
## [195] "BridgeCommunication.exe 6636 Console 1 2,264 K"
## [196] "chrome.exe 21764 Console 1 11,804 K"
## [197] "chrome.exe 14140 Console 1 7,320 K"
## [198] "chrome.exe 7132 Console 1 12,832 K"
## [199] "chrome.exe 21304 Console 1 8,652 K"
## [200] "chrome.exe 21880 Console 1 4,260 K"
## [201] "chrome.exe 18264 Console 1 215,504 K"
## [202] "rsession-utf8.exe 19780 Console 1 96,432 K"
## [203] "conhost.exe 22152 Console 1 724 K"
## [204] "crashpad_handler.exe 20248 Console 1 620 K"
## [205] "chrome.exe 21744 Console 1 16,676 K"
## [206] "chrome.exe 6516 Console 1 6,388 K"
## [207] "chrome.exe 16036 Console 1 4,124 K"
## [208] "chrome.exe 15232 Console 1 10,592 K"
## [209] "chrome.exe 9340 Console 1 7,632 K"
## [210] "SnippingTool.exe 15424 Console 1 12,880 K"
## [211] "chrome.exe 20592 Console 1 8,688 K"
## [212] "chrome.exe 21816 Console 1 6,896 K"
## [213] "chrome.exe 5744 Console 1 6,436 K"
## [214] "svchost.exe 21972 Services 0 708 K"
## [215] "msedge.exe 19100 Console 1 46,340 K"
## [216] "msedge.exe 15068 Console 1 1,924 K"
## [217] "msedge.exe 21980 Console 1 34,780 K"
## [218] "msedge.exe 19536 Console 1 12,484 K"
## [219] "msedge.exe 6852 Console 1 4,948 K"
## [220] "msedge.exe 10748 Console 1 8,164 K"
## [221] "RuntimeBroker.exe 18212 Console 1 6,944 K"
## [222] "svchost.exe 9184 Services 0 2,644 K"
## [223] "svchost.exe 9832 Services 0 3,684 K"
## [224] "Widgets.exe 812 Console 1 15,528 K"
## [225] "WidgetService.exe 20768 Console 1 2,340 K"
## [226] "msedgewebview2.exe 11008 Console 1 5,120 K"
## [227] "msedgewebview2.exe 5608 Console 1 1,316 K"
## [228] "msedgewebview2.exe 21944 Console 1 3,928 K"
## [229] "msedgewebview2.exe 12128 Console 1 956 K"
## [230] "msedgewebview2.exe 13460 Console 1 16 K"
## [231] "msedgewebview2.exe 304 Console 1 1,020 K"
## [232] "msedgewebview2.exe 11544 Console 1 720 K"
## [233] "chrome.exe 7236 Console 1 30,136 K"
## [234] "audiodg.exe 21076 Services 0 15,892 K"
## [235] "msedge.exe 15744 Console 1 19,160 K"
## [236] "msedge.exe 16672 Console 1 13,020 K"
## [237] "msedge.exe 22208 Console 1 14,772 K"
## [238] "msedge.exe 6240 Console 1 6,380 K"
## [239] "msedge.exe 20648 Console 1 5,720 K"
## [240] "msedge.exe 22428 Console 1 6,844 K"
## [241] "msedge.exe 12472 Console 1 9,480 K"
## [242] "msedge.exe 6948 Console 1 3,412 K"
## [243] "svchost.exe 14856 Services 0 7,080 K"
## [244] "WmiPrvSE.exe 7644 Services 0 12,164 K"
## [245] "SearchProtocolHost.exe 820 Services 0 11,040 K"
## [246] "chrome.exe 13876 Console 1 56,512 K"
## [247] "chrome.exe 18084 Console 1 58,212 K"
## [248] "Rterm.exe 9996 Console 1 83,640 K"
## [249] "backgroundTaskHost.exe 21696 Console 1 16,552 K"
## [250] "FileCoAuth.exe 15788 Console 1 18,148 K"
## [251] "tasklist.exe 8100 Console 1 9,420 K"
## [252] "conhost.exe 19844 Console 1 12,376 K"
# The function output is still a character vector, similar to system and system2, allowing me to handle it in the same way as before.
# Capturing Command Output as a Data Frame
# In some cases, capturing output as a data frame is more convenient, especially when working with structured data such as system statistics. The fread function from the data.table package allows me to run a command, capture its output, and directly import it as a data.table or data.frame. This approach is particularly efficient when dealing with tabular data because fread automatically structures the output into rows and columns.
# Here’s how I can use fread to capture and format the output of the top command:
# Here I utilized fread to capture and structure command output
# Using fread to capture and structure command output from tasklist
#install.packages("data.table")
library(data.table)
fread(cmd = "tasklist", check.names = TRUE)
## Warning in fread(cmd = "tasklist", check.names = TRUE): Detected 8 column names
## but the data has 6 columns. Filling rows automatically. Set fill=TRUE
## explicitly to avoid this warning.
## System Idle Process X0 Services X0.1 X8
## <char> <char> <char> <char> <num> <char> <char>
## 1: System 4 Services 0 12.000 K
## 2: Registry 88 Services 0 17.900 K
## 3: smss.exe 404 Services 0 152.000 K
## 4: csrss.exe 692 Services 0 796.000 K
## 5: csrss.exe 780 Console 1 1.920 K
## ---
## 245: backgroundTaskHost.exe 21696 Console 1 23.876 K
## 246: FileCoAuth.exe 15788 Console 1 18.148 K
## 247: cmd.exe 21560 Console 1 4.000 K
## 248: conhost.exe 9820 Console 1 12.376 K
## 249: tasklist.exe 8152 Console 1 9.416 K
## K
## <lgcl>
## 1: NA
## 2: NA
## 3: NA
## 4: NA
## 5: NA
## ---
## 245: NA
## 246: NA
## 247: NA
## 248: NA
## 249: NA
# With fread, I can directly import system command output and manage it as a data frame. For instance, the command above produces the following output:
# fread automatically handles any headers and adjusts column names to be syntactically valid. In this example, %CPU, %MEM, and TIME+ are converted to compatible column names to avoid errors during data manipulation.
# Advantages and Applications
# Using these functions provides flexibility in handling command output in R. By capturing output as a character vector, I can easily parse and extract specific information using string manipulation functions. When output is structured, capturing it directly as a data frame simplifies data analysis and visualization, making it easier to integrate system information into broader analytical workflows.
# This functionality can be valuable in various applications, such as:
# - System Monitoring: Regularly capturing and analyzing system statistics, such as memory usage, CPU load, or active processes.
# - Automation Scripts: Embedding system commands in R scripts to automate routine tasks that depend on OS-level operations.
# - Data Collection: Collecting OS-specific data as part of larger analyses, especially in performance testing or system auditing.
# Summary Table of Command Execution Functions
# Below is a summary table that provides an overview of each function discussed, detailing their parameters and ideal use cases.
# Loaded necessary libraries for table styling
library(knitr)
library(kableExtra)
# Create the summary table
command_functions_table <- data.frame(
Function = c("system", "system2", "devtools::system_output", "fread"),
Parameters = c('command, intern = TRUE', 'command, args, stdout = TRUE', 'command, args', 'command, check.names = TRUE'),
Description = c("Executes a system command, capturing output as character vector",
"Executes command with separate arguments, capturing output as character vector",
"Captures output without requiring additional parameters",
"Runs command and captures output as data frame")
)
# Create the colorful table
kable(command_functions_table, "html", col.names = c("Function", "Parameters", "Description")) %>%
kable_styling(full_width = F, bootstrap_options = c("striped", "hover", "condensed")) %>%
column_spec(1, bold = TRUE, color = "white", background = "#4CAF50") %>%
column_spec(2, background = "#E0F7FA") %>%
column_spec(3, background = "#FFEBEE")
|
Function
|
Parameters
|
Description
|
|
system
|
command, intern = TRUE
|
Executes a system command, capturing output as character vector
|
|
system2
|
command, args, stdout = TRUE
|
Executes command with separate arguments, capturing output as character
vector
|
|
devtools::system_output
|
command, args
|
Captures output without requiring additional parameters
|
|
fread
|
command, check.names = TRUE
|
Runs command and captures output as data frame
|