Track used applications

Answer 1

Here is a link to an article with source covering the Process Structure Routines API Detecting Windows NT/2K process execution. I thought that the SysInternals site had source to Process Monitor, but I don't see any. The article should point you in the right direction for Windows systems.

Here is a link that may be helpful for Linux systems PROCPS

Here is a link to a java swing top utility Monitor It uses JNI, so not sure if it really fits as a java solution.

And to answer the SO question, I only periodically visit the site. I find I spend too much time on it if I visit regularly.

Answer 2

Familiarize yourself with the Server Explorer in Visual Studio -- look under 'Process'. Then read up on the PerformanceCounter class.