Using lsb_release
Introduction
The lsb_release command is a utility used in Unix-like operating systems to display Linux Standard Base (LSB) and distribution-specific information. This information is crucial for system administrators and developers who need to know the exact version and distribution of the operating system they are working with.
Installing lsb_release
Before using the lsb_release command, you may need to install it. On most Linux distributions, you can install it using the package manager.
For Debian-based systems (e.g., Ubuntu):
sudo apt-get install lsb-release
For Red Hat-based systems (e.g., Fedora):
sudo yum install redhat-lsb-core
Basic Usage
The most basic usage of lsb_release is to simply run the command without any options:
lsb_release
LSB Version: core-4.1-amd64:core-4.1-noarch
Displaying All Information
To display all available information about the distribution, use the -a option:
lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS
Release: 20.04
Codename: focal
Displaying Specific Information
You can also use specific options to display particular pieces of information:
-d: Description of the distribution-r: Release number of the distribution-c: Codename of the distribution-i: Distributor ID
Example of displaying the description:
lsb_release -d
Description: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS
Example of displaying the release number:
lsb_release -r
Release: 20.04
Combining Options
You can combine multiple options to retrieve specific information in one command:
lsb_release -dc
Description: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS
Codename: focal
Conclusion
The lsb_release command is a powerful tool for retrieving detailed information about your Linux distribution. Whether you are a system administrator, developer, or just a curious user, knowing how to use this command can be highly beneficial.