Essential Linux Interview Questions & Answers

Linux Interview Questions

Are you preparing for a Linux interview? Here are some of the most common questions and answers that interviewers may ask you.

Questions:

• What is Linux?
• What is a kernel?
• What is the purpose of a boot loader?
• What is the difference between UNIX and Linux?
• Which computer systems does Linux support?
• How do you manage installed packages in Linux?
• What command do you use to monitor system performance in Linux?
• What are some of the new features in the latest version of Linux?
• How do you configure system services in Linux?
• What is Bash and what can it be used for?
• How do you secure a Linux server?
• What is the difference between GNU/Linux and a traditional UNIX system?
• How do you install and configure an Apache web server in Linux?
• What is the difference between a Linux distribution and an operating system?
• What is the Linux Standard Base (LSB)?

Answers:

• What is Linux? Linux is a free and open source operating system. It's a Unix-like operating system that is based on the Linux kernel.
• What is a kernel? A kernel is the core of an operating system. It’s responsible for managing and allocating resources such as memory, processors, and devices.
• What is the purpose of a boot loader? A boot loader is responsible for loading the operating system into memory after the computer is powered on. It also has the capability to load different operating systems if they are installed.
• What is the difference between UNIX and Linux? UNIX is a commercial operating system developed by AT&T in the 1970s, whereas Linux is a free and open source operating system developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds.
• Which computer systems does Linux support? Linux can be installed on most major computer systems including PCs, servers, tablets and phones.
• How do you manage installed packages in Linux? Installed packages can be managed using package manager tools such as APT, YUM, and RPM.
• What command do you use to monitor system performance in Linux? The ‘top’ command is used to monitor system performance in Linux.
• What are some of the new features in the latest version of Linux? The latest version of Linux includes improved hardware support, faster boot times, new utilities and applications, and improved security.
• How do you configure system services in Linux? System services can be configured using configuration files stored in the /etc directory or using command line utilities.
• What is Bash and what can it be used for? Bash is a Unix shell and command language. It can be used to execute commands and run scripts.
• How do you secure a Linux server? Linux servers can be secured by setting up access controls, securing network services, and monitoring system logs.
• What is the difference between GNU/Linux and a traditional UNIX system? GNU/Linux is an operating system based on the Linux kernel and is often considered a Unix-like operating system. Traditional UNIX systems are developed by companies such as IBM and have their own set of command line interfaces.
• How do you install and configure an Apache web server in Linux? Apache can be installed using the package manager. Once it is installed, the web server can be configured by editing the configuration files located in the /etc/apache2 directory.
• What is the difference between a Linux distribution and an operating system? A Linux distribution is a collection of software packages that includes a copy of the Linux kernel, while an operating system is a software layer which manages hardware resources and provides an environment where user programs can run.
• What is the Linux Standard Base (LSB)? The Linux Standard Base is a project that specifies a common set of application programming interfaces (APIs) and other standards such as directory structure and file locations. It aims to make it easier to develop and maintain software on multiple Linux distributions.