nice
[±
n
]
command
Change the execution priority for
command
, or, if
none is given, change priority for the current shell.
(See also
nice
in Section 2.)
The priority range is -20 to 20, with a default of 4.
The range seems backwards: -20 gives the highest priority
(fastest execution); 20 gives the lowest.
-
+
n
-
Add
n
to the priority value (lower job priority).
-
-
n
-
Subtract
n
from the priority value (raise job priority).
Privileged users only.