Well, Mickey, the answer to which is better is "it depends".
Older power supplies were all of the linear type. Big as barns, more expensive, and not very efficient. They were based on traditional electronics devices like transfmormers, diodes, capacitors, etc. The advantage was the output power had very little ripple.
I don't know precisely the technology switching power supplies use, but the name implies some kind of modulated pulse. The output power of switchers isn't as clean, with more noise and ripple. They are more compact and less expensive.
Some sensors, PLC manufacturers etc. reccommend linear power supplies, but I've been using noting but switching power supplies for years without problem.