List of content you will read in this article:
- 1. How to check the Ubuntu version through the terminal?
- 2. How to check the Ubuntu version through system settings?
- 3. Conclusion
Canonical Ltd., a business headquartered in the UK, created this system. Open-source software development is the foundation of all the guiding concepts to create Ubuntu software.
People all across the world use Ubuntu as their operating system. Although adaptable and user-friendly, it might not always work with other software. As a result, you must determine whether your version of Ubuntu is compatible with other programs.
It will be easier to understand what applications or packages to install if you know your Ubuntu version.
This article will show you several different ways to check your Ubuntu version.
How to check the Ubuntu version through the terminal?
We can select from several command arguments to check the Ubuntu version. Some display the version plainly, while others provide extra details about Ubuntu. Open your terminal by pressing CTRL + ALT + T before continuing.
the lsb_release -a command
You can view information about your Linux distribution with the lsb_release -a command. For instance, it shows the information on LSB modules. Additionally, the distributor's ID and release number are displayed.
This command returns every piece of data if "-a" is added at the end. If you need to check your Ubuntu version quickly, you might want to use this method because it is rather simple.
Start by launching your terminal and entering the following command:
lsb_release -a
To return the results, use the Enter key. Your Ubuntu version is displayed next to the Description heading. Information about your LSB modules and your distributor's codename is also visible.
The /etc/lsb-release or /etc/os-release command
You can check your Ubuntu version, along with separate lines for the release number and its explanation, using the /etc/lsb-release command.
If you're using an old version of Ubuntu, you might wish to utilize it since it is made for older systems.
The /etc/os-release command can also get the same data. With Ubuntu 16.04 and newer, this works.
Open your terminal as before and type one of the aforementioned commands. The word "cat" must come before either of them:
cat etc/os-release
The number of your Ubuntu version and its release name will then appear in a list of data. A few links to the Ubuntu website and helpful resources are also provided.
The release ID, description, and codename display simpler results when you use the /etc/lsb-release command. The links and the name of the Ubuntu version are absent.
The /etc/issue File
The /etc/issue file is a text-based document containing the data regarding system identification.
Because this program will display your Ubuntu version, using this way is easier. As a result, if you're in a hurry and don't need to learn more about your system, you could choose to use this file.
You must type "cat" before the command, just like you did with the prior ones. Put the following in your terminal:
cat /etc/issue
Once you press Enter, a single line of text will appear. The string of numbers before LTS is your Ubuntu version. Nothing additional has to be done at this time.
The hostnamectl command
Utilize the hostnamectl command as a last resort. When you need to change the hostname of your system, you typically use this command. However, it also returns data like your machine ID and Ubuntu version.
Open a terminal and enter the following command to check your Ubuntu version:
Hostnamectl
Once you press Enter, a list of information will appear. Your Ubuntu version and Ubuntu Linux kernel version are also visible here.
How to check the Ubuntu version through system settings?
If you're using Ubuntu in a desktop environment, it's feasible to check the Ubuntu version your computer is using via the graphical interface.
Then, open the System Settings and launch the Ubuntu application first. Locate the Details section at the bottom of the page and click on it.
Now you can see a straightforward window with the system's essential data. You will be able to view the version of Ubuntu we are now using in it.
Conclusion
A good substitute for Windows and macOS is the open-source Ubuntu operating system. This open-source system has a wide range of pre-installed apps and is quite adaptable.
Programmers can utilize Ubuntu to implement their software projects or to develop its applications further. However, there will inevitably be moments when you want to install extra programs.
So how can you determine whether your favourite software is compatible with Ubuntu? Therefore, before installing new programs, you might need to identify your version of Ubuntu.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to check the Ubuntu version through the terminal or the graphical interface.
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