RAM usage

Deelk · 03-26-2006, 06:12 AM

Hi,

As you already know,linux takes alot of RAM,but it doesn't need it.So it uses like 500 MB RAM,but when an other app needs it,it gives a part of it to the new app launched.People say that linux does this because it is better and faster.Let's get to my question.When I type top in the terminal it shows me the memory usage with the ''unnecessary'' RAM usage included.How can I see how much RAM it really uses,so without the ''unnecessary'' RAM usage?So how can I see how much RAM it really uses ffor the running processes?I hope you'll understand my question,I couldn't explain it really good.

Thanx in advance

phil.d.g · 03-26-2006, 06:35 AM

Code:

$ free -m
           total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:        1009        202        807          0         21         89
-/+ buffers/cache:       92        917
Swap:        486          0        486

The line in bold shows how much is actively being used by programs currently

Deelk · 03-26-2006, 07:10 AM

Thanx.Why does it say that I have 694 MB total RAM,while I have 704 MB RAM in my motherboard?

phil.d.g · 03-26-2006, 07:16 AM

Some of it is used for the kernel and isn't accessible by user space programs

syg00 · 03-26-2006, 07:33 AM

Deelk, perhaps what you are looking for is the RES size from top - see man top.

Deelk · 03-26-2006, 08:46 AM

phil.d.g:Thanx

syg00:I've already found it.

I have a little question,but I don't think I have to open a new thread just for that.So here it goes.How can I open a file via the terminal?I want to open an avi file in the folder /home/admin/Desktop/goran/

thanx

phil.d.g · 03-26-2006, 09:18 AM

Well you launch the app that you use to "view" that file and normally pass the filename as an argument, for example I would use mplayer to watch videos so:

Code:

$ mplayer /home/admin/Desktop/goran/file.avi

If I were viewing a text file then I would use vim like this:

Code:

$ vim somefile.txt

Deelk · 03-26-2006, 09:34 AM

Thank you very much,it works

foo_bar_foo · 03-26-2006, 06:31 PM

just a note.
even at this the stats given for RAM usage on Linux are basically useless.
rss for instance multi-counts the shared shared pages common to many other apps etc.

moving into the future thankfully the 2.6.16 kernel adds new reporting and i'm sure apps to parse this won't be far behind.

this will hopefully allow us all to trim some of the fat.

syg00 · 03-26-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foo_bar_foo

moving into the future thankfully the 2.6.16 kernel adds new reporting

Got a reference I can go look at ???

foo_bar_foo · 03-27-2006, 02:54 PM

you can see here (search the page for smaps)
http://tonnikala.net/linux.php?kerne...ux26&type=full
them working on it
its called smaps /proc/pid/smaps
obviously it ain't right yet from the banter but at least they are trying

also found this
http://bmaurer.blogspot.com/2006/03/...ith-smaps.html

also appears reporting called numa_maps as well

syg00 · 03-27-2006, 04:03 PM

Cheers ...