There are several different commands that can help you determine which Linux distribution and version is running on your system. this article will teach you how to check Linux version
The lsb prefix in the command name refers to the Linux Standard Base project, which was created with the aim of creating a set of standards for the release of Linux distributions in order to reduce the differences between individual distributions. Using LSB is expected to reduce the costs associated with porting applications to different distributions, as well as reducing the effort involved in maintaining those applications.
To display information about the distribution, run the command:
lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 18.10 Release: 18.10 Codename: cosmic
The distribution name, version number and codename are displayed.
You can use the cat command to display the contents of the /etc/os-release file:
cat /etc/os-release
hostnamectl Static hostname: p Icon name: computer-desktop Chassis: desktop Machine ID: abc231434aabcb … a Boot ID: 51dcaa2321bbbb … a Operating System: Ubuntu 18.10 Kernel: Linux 4.18.0-16-generic Architecture: x86-64
In addition to the distribution data, the kernel version and architecture are displayed.
To find out which version of the Linux kernel is running on your system, enter the following command:
uname -srmLinux 4.9.0-8-amd64 x86_64
The output above tells us that the Linux kernel is 64-bit and its version is “4.9.0-8-amd64”.
What is Linux and why are there so many operating systems based on it?
GNU / Linux was designed as a multiuser and multitasking kernel for various operating systems. For which programmers have created many graphical managers and software shells. The distribution kit (operating system) determines what you will use your computer for. Each Linux-based OS differs in its functional part. The only part of all distributions is “Terminal”, this is their main part. With it you can:
IT BEGAN TO SPREAD WIDELY IN HOME COMPUTERS RELATIVELY RECENTLY, HAVING WON THE LOVE OF USERS DUE TO ITS WIDE CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS: SOME VERSIONS OF DISTRIBUTIONS CAN BE RUN DIRECTLY FROM A FLASH DRIVE, OTHERS ARE SUITABLE FOR WEAK COMPUTERS. DISTRIBUTIONS DIFFER IN THEIR FUNCTIONALITY, SIZE AND APPEARANCE.
Not all Linux-based operating systems can be downloaded. For example, Google Chrome OS (yes, there is such an operating system, not just a browser) comes pre-installed on some models of Samsung, HP laptops, etc. This operating system cannot be found in the public domain of official distributions. But there are many forks and copies. We will not provide links to such sites in this review. For each distribution kit in the review, we provide a download link to the official website or the official community.
Lsb_release command
The lsb_release command displays information about the distribution.The lsb prefix in the command name refers to the Linux Standard Base project, which was created with the aim of creating a set of standards for the release of Linux distributions in order to reduce the differences between individual distributions. Using LSB is expected to reduce the costs associated with porting applications to different distributions, as well as reducing the effort involved in maintaining those applications.
To display information about the distribution, run the command:
lsb_release -a
![Lsb_release command Lsb_release command](https://357558-1266171-raikfcquaxqncofqfm.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/lsb-release-a.png)
No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 18.10 Release: 18.10 Codename: cosmic
The distribution name, version number and codename are displayed.
cat /etc/os-release
The /etc/os-release file contains information about the distribution, including the URLs for the system site and some additional information. This file is present in distributions using systemd.You can use the cat command to display the contents of the /etc/os-release file:
cat /etc/os-release
![cat /etc/os-release cat /etc/os-release](https://357558-1266171-raikfcquaxqncofqfm.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cat-etc-os-release.png)
Hostnamectl command
The hostnamectl command, executed without parameters or with the status key, displays the current information about the system.hostnamectl Static hostname: p Icon name: computer-desktop Chassis: desktop Machine ID: abc231434aabcb … a Boot ID: 51dcaa2321bbbb … a Operating System: Ubuntu 18.10 Kernel: Linux 4.18.0-16-generic Architecture: x86-64
In addition to the distribution data, the kernel version and architecture are displayed.
![Hostnamectl command Hostnamectl command](https://357558-1266171-raikfcquaxqncofqfm.stackpathdns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/hostnamectl.png)
Uname command
The uname command displays several system information, including the Linux kernel architecture, version name, and release.To find out which version of the Linux kernel is running on your system, enter the following command:
uname -srmLinux 4.9.0-8-amd64 x86_64
The output above tells us that the Linux kernel is 64-bit and its version is “4.9.0-8-amd64”.
What is Linux and why are there so many operating systems based on it?
GNU / Linux was designed as a multiuser and multitasking kernel for various operating systems. For which programmers have created many graphical managers and software shells. The distribution kit (operating system) determines what you will use your computer for. Each Linux-based OS differs in its functional part. The only part of all distributions is “Terminal”, this is their main part. With it you can:
- install and run programs;
- add storages for storing software;
- configure configuration files and the distribution itself.
IT BEGAN TO SPREAD WIDELY IN HOME COMPUTERS RELATIVELY RECENTLY, HAVING WON THE LOVE OF USERS DUE TO ITS WIDE CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS: SOME VERSIONS OF DISTRIBUTIONS CAN BE RUN DIRECTLY FROM A FLASH DRIVE, OTHERS ARE SUITABLE FOR WEAK COMPUTERS. DISTRIBUTIONS DIFFER IN THEIR FUNCTIONALITY, SIZE AND APPEARANCE.
Not all Linux-based operating systems can be downloaded. For example, Google Chrome OS (yes, there is such an operating system, not just a browser) comes pre-installed on some models of Samsung, HP laptops, etc. This operating system cannot be found in the public domain of official distributions. But there are many forks and copies. We will not provide links to such sites in this review. For each distribution kit in the review, we provide a download link to the official website or the official community.