free: free is a Linux program which reports on free and used RAM memory, swap space, shared memory, and buffers used by the kernel. See man free.

I pay attention to the use of memory by running top in a virtual terminal. I can often detect a slowdown when my system starts to use swap. I then consider a reboot and look for ways to decrease the use of RAM or obtain more RAM.

Contributors

• RandyKramer - 15 Jan 2002
• <If you edit this page, add your name here, move this to the next line>