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Why does Linux use a swap partition rather than a file?

It seems to me a swap file is more flexible.

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Answer by Penz for Why does Linux use a swap partition rather than a file?

A swap partition can be preferred because it avoids a dependency on the file system when all you need is an addressable memory pool.But nothing prevents you from using a swap file instead of a swap...

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Answer by Bacon for Why does Linux use a swap partition rather than a file?

I think that it is mainly because the access time to the datas located on a partition are lower. The point of the swap file is more to help the sys admin when he is really out of RAM and needs to...

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Answer by Gilles 'SO- stop being evil' for Why does Linux use a swap...

A swap file is more flexible but also more fallible than a swap partition. A filesystem error could damage the swap file. A swap file can be a pain for the administrator, since the file can't be moved...

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Answer by sourcejedi for Why does Linux use a swap partition rather than a file?

Perhaps the main reason is that the main kernel suspend-to-disk does not work with swap files. For example the Debian wiki instructions are to install uswsusp if you need this.More recently, swap files...

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Answer by dr_ for Why does Linux use a swap partition rather than a file?

For completeness I'll add my own answer: As said by @Gilles, a swap file can't be used for hibernation. When using a swap file, the system must locate the swap file's header, but in order to do this...

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