Swap memory questions

[advice1010]

Using MX Linux - KDE Plasma

In general I will say that I am very confused about all memory specs in Linux.
Each tool that displays memory / used memory all show different amounts and percentages for each.
I have researched and even seen that there are settings that are put in place that don't ever even use the full amount of physical RAM that you have but automatically uses swap memory instead after a certain amout of physical used.

However in this post I am looking to get some information to somewhat loosely based questions about swap memory itself.
I have noticed in my many many installations of different distros that swap memory gets handled differently in each.
Some ask during installation how much you want to choose, some automatically choose the amount without asking.
Some use a file based place holder on your drive and others use a separate partition to achieve this.

MX Linux as far as I know does not ask during the installation process how much you swap memory you want to use, it just creates a partition automatically. So lets say my system has 4GB RAM, MX Linux creates a 2.8GB swap memory partition as well as an odd unallocated 7.9MB (megabyte not gigabyte) instance which I am not sure what this is but only happens in MX.

1.) Are there any differences / benefits of a file based swap memory VS a partition based approach?
2.) Can you choose the swap memory value in MX during installation?
3.) Can you change the swap memory value in MX after installation graphically with some kind of application or MX tool?
4.) What is that unallocated 7.9MB instance for? Does anyone else experience this one?

Just wondering if anyone could share any information about the topic without getting too technical.

Thank You for any info provided

[j2mcgreg]

You need to post your Quick System Info because it will help us frame our answers.

[Huckleberry Finn]

2 & 3 : Yes.

[j2mcgreg]

#4 https://superuser.com/questions/663795/ ... -meant-for

[dolphin_oracle]

1. Its easier to change the size of a file, but our installer does not set up files by default. the swap partition is the tried and true standard. its also easiser to use features like hibernation with a swap partition than a swapfile. you need special boot parameters to use a swapfile with hibernation.

[advice1010]

Hey 4 for 4!
Thank you guys for answering each of my questions I really appreciated it.
2.) I must of overlooked this during my many installations of MX, I will keep a better eye out for it in the future.
3.) I assume that because it is a partition that the way of increasing / decreasing size would be to use Gparted if using XFCE and KDE Partition Manager in Plasma.

Thought the swap value used was based on amount of RAM machine contained, didn't realize it but it actually seems like it is based on size of drive.

Anyways,
Thank again guys