Bug 35612

Summary: ps(1) page "state" description doesn't mention "spread".
Product: Documentation Reporter: Gary W. Swearingen <swear>
Component: Books & ArticlesAssignee: Pav Lucistnik <pav>
Status: Closed FIXED    
Severity: Affects Only Me    
Priority: Normal    
Version: Latest   
Hardware: Any   
OS: Any   

Description Gary W. Swearingen 2002-03-06 23:40:02 UTC 
The ps(1) man page "state" description implies that only
single-character indicators are used and doesn't describe the
several words that may appear there, like: spread, select, accept,
sbwait (observed in a "ps" output posted to a mailing list).

The "top" man page probably has a similar problem.
================

Fix: 

Because this is really a "kernel" thing that could effect other programs
like "top", it probably should be discussed in the Handbook and referred
to from the man page(s).

Here is a bit of a mailing list:

> What does a "spread" state mean? This server is a multiprocessor box
> if it helps.

Actually, it's obvious from the top that you've got an smp
machine. You don't get CPU1 and a C column on up machines.

> man on top, cp, and ps make no mention of it.

That's because what's being shown is a reason the developer gave for
putting the process in a sleep state. In fact, that's what all the
lower case ones are.
How-To-Repeat: n/a
================
Comment 1 Pav Lucistnik freebsd_committer freebsd_triage 2007-05-12 17:01:42 UTC 
State Changed
From-To: open->feedback

Is this still valid? 

My ps is showing single letter states in STAT column and wait channels (words 
like spread) in MWCHAN column.
Comment 2 Pav Lucistnik freebsd_committer freebsd_triage 2007-05-12 17:01:42 UTC 
Responsible Changed
From-To: freebsd-doc->pav

Take replies
Comment 3 Pav Lucistnik freebsd_committer freebsd_triage 2007-05-12 17:06:41 UTC 
State Changed
From-To: feedback->closed

Submitter's email bounces.