GetProcess

GetProcess is a generic term used in various programming environments to obtain a reference or handle to a running process. It typically refers to a function, method, or command that takes an identifier for a process—such as a process ID (PID) or another process descriptor—and returns a process object or handle that can be examined or manipulated by the program.

In common usage, GetProcess accepts a minimal identifier and returns a Process object or handle that exposes properties such as the process ID, name, status, start time, and resource usage. The exact signature and return type vary by language and library. If the specified process cannot be found, the caller is often given a null reference, a special value, or an error/exception, and if access is not permitted, a permission-related error may be raised.

Behavior and capabilities depend on the platform and permissions. On systems with separate user and system privileges, retrieving a process may require appropriate rights. A obtained process object commonly supports queries for real-time metrics (CPU and memory usage) and may offer operations such as terminating the process or requesting a pause, depending on the environment and security policy.

Platform notes and alternatives: different operating systems implement process access through distinct APIs, wrappers, or toolchains. Some languages provide similar functionality under different names, with GetProcess illustrating a familiar pattern of obtaining a managed reference to an external program. When implementing or using GetProcess, developers should consider error handling for non-existent or inaccessible processes and adhere to applicable security guidelines.