How to view OS version in Linux?

Viewing OS Version in Linux: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Linux is an open-source operating system that is widely used in various industries and personal settings. One of the essential features of Linux is the ability to view the operating system version. In this article, we will guide you through the process of viewing 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 on your Linux system.
• Type uname -a and press Enter.
• The output will display information about the operating system, including the version.

Field	Description
OS	The name of the operating system (e.g., Linux, Ubuntu, etc.)
Release	The version of the operating system (e.g., 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
Version	The exact version of the operating system (e.g., 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
Machine	The type of hardware (e.g., x86_64, i386, etc.)
Processor	The type of processor (e.g., Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 9, etc.)
Release Date	The date the operating system was released (e.g., 2019-02-20, etc.)

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

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

• Open a terminal on your Linux system.
• Type cat /etc/os-release and press Enter.
• The output will display information about the operating system, including the version.

Field	Description
NAME	The name of the operating system (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)
VERSION_ID	The version of the operating system (e.g., 20.04.1, 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
VERSION	The exact version of the operating system (e.g., 20.04.1, 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
MACHINE	The type of hardware (e.g., x86_64, i386, etc.)
PROCESSOR	The type of processor (e.g., Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 9, etc.)
RELEASE	The date the operating system was released (e.g., 2019-02-20, etc.)

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 on your Linux system.
• Type lsb_release -a and press Enter.
• The output will display information about the operating system, including the version.

Field	Description
NAME	The name of the operating system (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)
VERSION	The exact version of the operating system (e.g., 20.04.1, 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
VERSION_ID	The version of the operating system (e.g., 20.04.1, 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
MACHINE	The type of hardware (e.g., x86_64, i386, etc.)
PROCESSOR	The type of processor (e.g., Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 9, etc.)
RELEASE	The date the operating system was released (e.g., 2019-02-20, etc.)

Method 4: Using the cat /etc/lsb-release File

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

• Open a terminal on your Linux system.
• Type cat /etc/lsb-release and press Enter.
• The output will display information about the operating system, including the version.

Field	Description
NAME	The name of the operating system (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)
VERSION	The exact version of the operating system (e.g., 20.04.1, 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
VERSION_ID	The version of the operating system (e.g., 20.04.1, 4.15.0-42-generic, etc.)
MACHINE	The type of hardware (e.g., x86_64, i386, etc.)
PROCESSOR	The type of processor (e.g., Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 9, etc.)
RELEASE	The date the operating system was released (e.g., 2019-02-20, etc.)

Conclusion

Viewing the OS version in Linux is a straightforward process that can be performed using various methods. By using the uname, cat /etc/os-release, lsb_release -a, and cat /etc/lsb-release commands, you can obtain information about the operating system, including the version. This information is essential for troubleshooting and maintaining your Linux system.

Tips and Tricks

• To view the OS version in real-time, you can use the uname -a command in a terminal.
• To view the OS version in a specific directory, you can use the lsb_release -a command with the -d option.
• To view the OS version in a specific file, you can use the cat /etc/os-release command.
• To view the OS version in a specific directory, you can use the lsb_release -a command with the -d option.

By following these steps and tips, you can easily view the OS version in Linux and gain a better understanding of your system’s configuration.