Monitor ABAP program from O/S

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help to answer the following question(s). I did some extensive search on the web but to no avail. So here goes:

Is it possible to execute a ABAP program in such way that its execution can be monitored outside of SAP (i.e. from the O/S). For example, can a ABAP program be executed under, say, a specific process id which can be distinctively monitored using UNIX tools like top and iostat? Otherwise, can a ABAP program be executed under a specific UNIX user id?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!