Linux distributions overview (Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora) in Linux CLI - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the command to check the Ubuntu version installed on your system.

Linux CLI

lsb_release [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A-a

B-l

C-v

D-h

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '-v' which shows only the short release version, not full distribution info.

Using '-h' which shows help instead of version info.

The 'lsb_release -a' command shows detailed information about the Linux distribution, including the Ubuntu version.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the command to list all installed packages on a CentOS system using yum.

Linux CLI

yum [1] installed

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Asearch

Bshow

Cinfo

Dlist

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'show' or 'info' which do not list installed packages.

Using 'search' which looks for packages but does not list installed ones.

The 'yum list installed' command lists all packages installed on a CentOS system.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the Fedora command to update all packages.

Linux CLI

dnf [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ainstall

Bupgrade

Cupdate

Dremove

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'update' instead of 'upgrade'.

Using 'install' or 'remove' which do not upgrade packages.

The correct command to update all packages in Fedora is 'dnf upgrade'.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a command that shows the Fedora release version.

Linux CLI

cat /etc/[1]-release | grep [2]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Afedora

BVERSION

CRELEASE

Dcentos

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 'centos' instead of 'fedora' in the file name.

Using 'RELEASE' in grep which may not filter the version line.

The file '/etc/fedora-release' contains Fedora version info. Using grep 'VERSION' filters the version line.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a dictionary comprehension that maps distribution names to their version files if the file exists.

Linux CLI

versions = {dist: f'/etc/[1]-release' for dist in ['ubuntu', 'centos', 'fedora'] if os.path.exists(f'/etc/[2]-release') and dist [3] 'fedora'}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Adist

C!=

D==

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '==' instead of '!=' which includes 'fedora' instead of excluding it.

Using a fixed string instead of 'dist' in file paths.

The comprehension uses 'dist' to build file paths and filters out 'fedora' with '!=' operator.

Practice

1. Which Linux distribution is known for being beginner-friendly and suitable for general use?

easy

A. Ubuntu

B. CentOS

C. Fedora

D. Arch Linux

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand beginner-friendly distributions

   Ubuntu is widely recognized for its ease of use and beginner-friendly interface.

2. Step 2: Compare with other distributions

   CentOS is more server-focused and Fedora targets advanced users, so they are less beginner-friendly.

3. Final Answer:

   Ubuntu -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Beginner-friendly = Ubuntu [OK]

Hint: Ubuntu = beginner-friendly, CentOS = servers, Fedora = advanced [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing CentOS as beginner-friendly
• Thinking Fedora is for beginners
• Choosing Arch Linux which is advanced

2. Which command correctly installs a package on CentOS using the default package manager?

easy

A. apt-get install httpd

B. pacman -S httpd

C. dnf install httpd

D. yum install httpd

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify CentOS package manager

   CentOS traditionally uses yum as its package manager.

2. Step 2: Check command syntax

   yum install httpd is the correct syntax to install the Apache web server on CentOS.

3. Final Answer:

   yum install httpd -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   CentOS uses yum = yum install [OK]

Hint: CentOS uses yum, Ubuntu uses apt, Fedora uses dnf [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using apt-get on CentOS
• Using pacman which is for Arch Linux
• Confusing dnf as default on CentOS

3. What will be the output of the command cat /etc/os-release | grep '^ID=' on a Fedora system?

medium

A. ID=fedora

B. ID=centos

C. ID=ubuntu

D. ID=debian

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand /etc/os-release file

   This file contains identification info about the Linux distribution, including the ID field.

2. Step 2: Recognize Fedora's ID value

   Fedora's ID in this file is fedora, so the grep command outputs ID=fedora.

3. Final Answer:

   ID=fedora -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fedora ID = fedora [OK]

Hint: Fedora's ID in os-release is 'fedora' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming ID=ubuntu on Fedora
• Confusing CentOS and Fedora IDs
• Not using grep correctly

4. You try to update packages on Fedora using yum update but get an error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. CentOS commands work on Fedora without changes

B. You need to run 'apt-get update' instead

C. Fedora uses 'dnf' instead of 'yum' for package management

D. You must use 'pacman' on Fedora

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Fedora's package manager

   Fedora uses dnf as its default package manager, replacing yum.

2. Step 2: Understand error cause

   Using yum update on Fedora may fail because yum is deprecated or not installed by default.

3. Final Answer:

   Fedora uses 'dnf' instead of 'yum' for package management -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Fedora package manager = dnf [OK]

Hint: Fedora uses dnf, not yum, for updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying apt-get on Fedora
• Assuming CentOS commands always work
• Using pacman which is Arch Linux's manager

5. You want to set up a stable web server environment with long-term support and minimal updates. Which Linux distribution should you choose?

hard

A. Ubuntu

B. CentOS

C. Fedora

D. Debian Testing

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand stability and support needs

   Stable web servers require long-term support and minimal frequent updates to avoid disruptions.

2. Step 2: Match distribution to requirements

   CentOS is known for its stability and long-term support, making it ideal for servers.

3. Step 3: Compare other options

   Fedora is cutting-edge and updates often; Ubuntu is user-friendly but less stable long-term; Debian Testing is unstable.

4. Final Answer:

   CentOS -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Stable server = CentOS [OK]

Hint: Choose CentOS for stable, long-term server setups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Fedora for stability
• Assuming Ubuntu is best for servers
• Picking Debian Testing for production