three important signals in linux

The 3 most important "kill" signals on the Linux/UNIX command line

Most Linux or UNIX users know that there is a kill(1) command to stop processes, but what are the options, what do they mean?

These options are called signals, which can be expressed in either numbers or words. Some known once are "-1" or "-HUP". Also well known is "-9" (aka "-KILL")

• -1 or -HUP - This argument makes kill send the "Hang Up" signal to processes. This probably originates from the modem/dial-in era. Processes have to be programmed to actually listen to this process and do something with it. Most daemons are programmed to re-read their configuration when they receive such a signal. Anyway; this is very likely the safest kill signal there is, it should not obstruct anything.
• -2 or -SIGINT - This is the same as starting some program and pressing CTRL+C during execution. Most programs will stop, you could lose data.
• -9 or -KILL - The kernel will let go of the process without informing the process of it. An unclean kill like this could result in data loss. This is the "hardest", "roughest" and most unsafe kill signal available, and should only be used to stop something that seems unstoppable.
• -15 or -TERM - Tell the process to stop whatever it's doing, and end itself. When you don't specify any signal, this signal is used. It should be fairly safe to perform, but better start with a "-1" or "-HUP".