TestOut Linux Pro Practice Test 2025 - Free Linux Pro Practice Questions and Study Guide

Using the "free" command in Linux is an effective way to check memory usage. This command provides a quick overview of the system’s memory status, detailing the total amount of RAM, the amount used, the amount free, and other memory statistics such as cached and buffer memory.

The information returned by "free" is displayed in an easily readable format, allowing users to quickly ascertain how much memory is available for use, which is particularly useful when troubleshooting performance issues or monitoring system health. The command also includes options to display the outputs in different formats, including human-readable formats, further enhancing its usability.

While the "top" command also provides memory usage information along with real-time system performance metrics, "free" specifically focuses on memory alone and is often preferred for quick checks. The "meminfo" is not a standard command in Linux; rather, it refers to a file located at `/proc/meminfo` that offers similar information, but it requires additional commands to view. "df," on the other hand, is used to report disk space usage, which is unrelated to memory monitoring.