memory usage

In the landscape of Linux system administration, monitoring system resources is crucial for maintaining performance and stability. One of the fundamental metrics to keep an eye on is memory usage. The free command is a built-in utility in most Linux distributions that provides a quick and clear snapshot of the system's memory usage including total, used, free, shared, buffers, and cache memory. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to utilize the free command effectively along with installation instructions for different package managers where necessary. The free command displays the amount of free and used memory in the system. This includes physical memory and swap space, as well as the buffers and caches used by the kernel.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how much memory your server or desktop has available, the free command in Linux is an indispensable tool. It provides a clear snapshot of the system's memory usage, including RAM and swap space. Understanding the output of the free command can help you monitor your system’s health and make informed decisions about resource allocation. In this article, we'll break down how to use the free command and interpret its output effectively. The free command is a terminal-based tool in Unix-like operating systems such as Linux. It displays the total amount of free and used physical memory (RAM) and swap space on your system.