What does the command 'top' provide to the user?

The command 'top' provides real-time statistics about running processes on a Linux system. When executed, it displays an ongoing, dynamic view of the system’s resource usage, including CPU and memory utilization, as well as information about individual processes, such as process IDs (PIDs), their owners, and how much CPU and memory they are consuming. This continuous, live updating feature allows users to monitor system performance and identify any processes that may be utilizing excessive resources at any given moment.

The command does not provide a one-time snapshot of system processes, as it continuously updates the information displayed. It also does not summarize disk usage or list network connections, which are functions served by other commands like 'df' for disk usage and 'netstat' or 'ss' for network connections.