---
title: About the processes Resource
---

# processes

Use the `processes` InSpec audit resource to test properties for programs that are running on the system.

## Syntax

A `processes` resource block declares the name of the process to be tested, and then declares one (or more) property/value pairs:

    describe processes('process_name') do
      its('property_name') { should eq ['property_value'] }
    end

where

* `processes('process_name')` specifies the name of a process to check. If this is a string, it will be converted to a Regexp. For more specificity, pass a Regexp directly.
* `property_name` may be used to test user (`its('users')`) and state properties (`its('states')`)


## Matchers

This InSpec audit resource has the following matchers:

### be

<%= partial "/shared/matcher_be" %>

### cmp

<%= partial "/shared/matcher_cmp" %>

### eq

<%= partial "/shared/matcher_eq" %>

### include

<%= partial "/shared/matcher_include" %>

### match

<%= partial "/shared/matcher_match" %>

### property_name

The `property_name` matcher tests the named property for the specified value:

    its('property_name') { should eq ['property_value'] }

## Examples

The following examples show how to use this InSpec audit resource.

### Test if the list length for the mysqld process is 1

    describe processes('mysqld') do
      its('list.length') { should eq 1 }
    end

### Test if the init process is owned by the root user

    describe processes('init') do
      its('users') { should eq ['root'] }
    end

### Test if a high-priority process is running

    describe processes('some_process') do
      its('states') { should eq ['R<'] }
    end

### Test for a process using a specific Regexp

If the process name is too common for a string to uniquely find it,
you may use a regexp. Inclusion of whitespace characters may be
needed.

    describe processes(Regexp.new("/usr/local/bin/swap -d")) do
      its('list.length') { should eq 1 }
    end