How to know the OS version in Linux?

How to Know the OS Version in Linux

Understanding the Basics

Linux is an open-source operating system that is widely used in various industries and personal settings. One of the essential aspects of Linux is its ability to identify the operating system version. In this article, we will explore the different ways to determine the OS version in Linux.

Method 1: Using the uname Command

The uname command is a built-in Linux utility that provides information about the operating system, including the version. Here’s how to use it:

• Open a terminal and type uname -a to display the system information.
• The output will include the following information:

  • OS Name: The name of the operating system, such as Linux or Ubuntu.
  • OS Version: The version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42-generic.
  • Machine: The machine type, such as x86_64 or i386.
  • Release: The release version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • Version: The version of the kernel, such as 5.10.0-42-generic.

• To get more detailed information, you can use the -m option with uname:

  • uname -a -m will display the system information, including the kernel version.

Method 2: Using the cat /etc/os-release File

The /etc/os-release file is a configuration file that contains information about the operating system, including the version. Here’s how to access it:

• Open a terminal and type cat /etc/os-release to display the system information.
• The output will include the following information:

  • NAME: The name of the operating system, such as Linux or Ubuntu.
  • VERSION_ID: The version ID of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • VERSION: The version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • MACHINE: The machine type, such as x86_64 or i386.
  • RELEASE: The release version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • REVISION: The revision version of the operating system, such as 42.
  • ID: The ID of the operating system, such as linux-focal.
  • VERSION: The version of the kernel, such as 5.10.0-42-generic.

• To get more detailed information, you can use the -v option with cat:

  • cat /etc/os-release -v will display the system information, including the kernel version.

Method 3: Using the lsb_release -a Command

The lsb_release -a command is a built-in Linux utility that provides information about the operating system, including the version. Here’s how to use it:

• Open a terminal and type lsb_release -a to display the system information.
• The output will include the following information:

  • NAME: The name of the operating system, such as Linux or Ubuntu.
  • VERSION: The version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • MACHINE: The machine type, such as x86_64 or i386.
  • RELEASE: The release version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • REVISION: The revision version of the operating system, such as 42.
  • ID: The ID of the operating system, such as linux-focal.
  • VERSION: The version of the kernel, such as 5.10.0-42-generic.

• To get more detailed information, you can use the -v option with lsb_release -a:

  • lsb_release -a -v will display the system information, including the kernel version.

Method 4: Using the cat /etc/operating-system-release File

The /etc/operating-system-release file is a configuration file that contains information about the operating system, including the version. Here’s how to access it:

• Open a terminal and type cat /etc/operating-system-release to display the system information.
• The output will include the following information:

  • NAME: The name of the operating system, such as Linux or Ubuntu.
  • VERSION: The version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • MACHINE: The machine type, such as x86_64 or i386.
  • RELEASE: The release version of the operating system, such as 4.15.0-42.
  • REVISION: The revision version of the operating system, such as 42.
  • ID: The ID of the operating system, such as linux-focal.
  • VERSION: The version of the kernel, such as 5.10.0-42-generic.

• To get more detailed information, you can use the -v option with cat:

  • cat /etc/operating-system-release -v will display the system information, including the kernel version.

Conclusion

Determining the OS version in Linux is a straightforward process that can be done using various methods. By using the uname command, cat /etc/os-release file, or lsb_release -a command, you can obtain the necessary information to identify the OS version. Additionally, using the cat /etc/operating-system-release file provides an alternative method for accessing the system information. By understanding how to use these methods, you can ensure that your Linux system is running the latest version of the operating system.

Tips and Tricks

• To get more detailed information, you can use the -v option with the uname, cat, or lsb_release command.
• You can also use the grep command to search for specific information in the system output.
• To verify the OS version, you can use the uname -r command, which displays the kernel version.
• You can also use the uname -s command, which displays the system type (e.g., x86_64, i386).
• To get the OS version from a specific file, you can use the grep command to search for the relevant information in the file.