Swap file? What is that? Saying it with my own words, a swap space is an extension of the RAM. When the RAM’s filling up the swap space helps the system to run smoother. Windows users: ever wondered why sometimes your disk looked like going mental while nothing really was going on on your PC? Yeah? Well that was Windows swapping and of course because the swap space is on the hard disk it is not as fast as the main memory.
Anyway, there’s always been lots of talking about where the swap space performs better. As a file of fixed dimension on the same partition of the hard disk, as a separate partition dedicated to it on the same disk. Or even in a dedicated partition on a second hard disk.
As for many other problems in IT the solution is not straightforward or unique. We all use different settings in our computer and we all run different software with different hardware.
I could just copy what someone else wrote already but it would take much longer than just copy the links:
swap file FAQ from the original ubuntu documentation and how to create a file or partition → here
what is better a swap file or a swap partition → here
again on the fight beetwen file and partition → here
