Doubt on echo 1 >> /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches

[Gijs]

Abhishek Rane wrote:
> Hi there,
>               I have a doubt whenever i do echo 1 >>
> /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches it drops the caches..I also see a
> "significant" change in the Memory stats of the Gnome system manager.I
> feel kinda happy but all i know about it is that it drops the caches.I
> want to know whether it is safe to do that?.Also will echo 2 or echo 3
> make a difference?..and how can it be useful for a normal user like me
> who browses the net and stuff?
>
Some pointers on how to use drop_caches:
http://www.linuxinsight.com/proc_sys_vm_drop_caches.html

It shouldn't really matter whether you do it or not, the kernel should
take care of this when you need more memory.
Like throw away some of it's file-cache to make room for your programs.
And yes, it is safe to do.