Application behaviour tool

Hello All
Is it possible to “look under the hood” what an application does, when it is started up?

I want to see what an application does like:

  • Which (child)processes are fired up
  • Which files are opened by which process
  • What is being written, read from those files
  1. Do you kow if there are any tools on OpenSuse Linux that offer the same abilities like Windows SysInternals:

Right know the only tool i use is the TOP at the command line for processes and or disk-traffic and file-IO i have not found any tool (yet)

  1. Can this be done by installing and launching an application INSIDE a application_level sandbox? of virtual machine?

Thanks for your hints, tips, tricks and advise
Regards Ronald