Introduction
The ‘free’ command in Linux is a powerful tool used to display information about the system’s memory usage. It is a useful command for monitoring the system’s memory usage and identifying any potential issues that may be affecting performance. In this blog post, we will explore the different options and functionalities of the ‘free’ command in Linux.
Syntax
The syntax of the ‘free’ command is simple and straightforward. To use the ‘free’ command, simply open a terminal and type ‘free’ followed by any options you wish to use. The basic syntax of the ‘free’ command is as follows:
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free [options]
Some common options that can be used with the ‘free’ command include ‘-h’ for displaying the output in a human-readable format and ‘-s’ for continuously displaying memory usage at a specified interval.
Examples
Here are three examples of how the ‘free’ command can be used in Linux:
- Displaying memory usage in human-readable format:
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free -h
This command will display the memory usage in a more readable format, showing values in kilobytes, megabytes, etc.
- Displaying memory usage at regular intervals:
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free -s 5
This command will display the memory usage every 5 seconds, allowing you to monitor changes in real-time.
- Displaying total memory and swap space:
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free -t
This command will display the total memory and swap space available on the system.
Applicable Versions
The ‘free’ command is available on most Linux distributions and should work on all major versions. Whether you are using Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora, or any other distribution, you should be able to utilize the ‘free’ command to monitor memory usage effectively.
In conclusion, the ‘free’ command in Linux is a valuable tool for monitoring system memory usage and identifying any potential issues that may be impacting performance. By understanding the syntax, options, and functionalities of the ‘free’ command, you can effectively monitor and manage memory usage on your Linux system.