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Some times you may want to know which linux distribution you are using. You may tell that while starting the Linux desktop we can see which linux distribution you are using as each linux distro has different boot splash screen and they will show the name while booting. But if you want to know which version of Ubuntu you are using like version 9.04 or 10.10 etc or if you want to know the code name given by Canonical for the Ubuntu which you are using?( Ubuntu uses code name for different versions of it. For example, Ubuntu 10.10 known as Maverick Meercat and next version 11.04 known as Natty Narwahl).In Ubuntu and other gnome based distros we can use "System Monitor" or softwares like  Ubuntu Tweak not only provides an easy way to view sytem information but a single stop destination for managing your system. But the "System Monitor" utility is only available for Gnome and if you are using KDE or any other desktop environment?There will be some apps but it will be different from one another. So what is the universal solution which will work with all the linux distros?

Command line is tool which will work with all of the linux distros. So by spitting out a simple command we can find out which linux distro we are using and the code name given by the Linux distributor for that particula release. For this open your terminal and type the following command and press Enter:

lsb_release -a 


Now it will show all the details about the operating system you are using as below:


lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: LinuxMint
Description: Linux Mint 10 Julia
Release: 10
Codename: julia
Cool ....... isn't it?

Note: This will work with all of the linux distros. If you are using Fedora it will show the release and the particular name given by Fedora developers for it. As I'm using Linux Mint it has shown the details of it.