threads process memory not free ?

[Joël GRONDIN]

I use a Linux kernel 2.4.10-1, with glibc 2.2.2, and linuxthreads 0.9.

When programs with threads execute, 'ps' reports some VSZ. But when the
process is killed (by kill -9) terminates (exit), the free memory (reported
by 'top' or 'free') only increases in a small fraction of the memory used by
the program.

For example, with 5Mo used by a program (C++), only 1M seems to be released.
With 240 Mo (Java program), only 30 Mo.

By launching severals times the programs, the memory (900Mo) become
completely used (only 70Mo free), but no process has this memory.

Is it a know bug of this version ?