TOP-17 Command-Line Interview Questions (Basic)

1. What is Linux?

Linux is a UNIX-based operating system and introduced by Linus Torvalds. The Linux kernel is available to numerous Intel, MIPS, HP, IBM, SPARC, and Motorola-based hardware platforms. The mascot, a penguin figure called Tux, is another common feature in Linux.

2. What is the difference between UNIX and LINUX?

Unix first started as a Bell Laboratory proprietary operating system and eventually became commercially available. On the other hand, Linux is free, open-source, and meant for the masses as a not-owned operating system.

3. What is BASH?

BASH is short for Bourne Again SHell. It is a substitution for the original Bourne Shell by Steve Bourne (represented by /bin/sh). It incorporates all the characteristics of Bourne Shell’s original version with additional functionality for simpler and more realistic service. The default shell for the bulk of Linux-based systems has since been adapted.

4. What is CLI?

Command Line Interface is short for CLI. This GUI enables the user to type declarative commands for running the machine. CLI needs more versatility. However, it is difficult for those users who are already used to using Interface to recall commands, including attributes.

5. What is the Linux Kernel?

The Linux Kernel is a low-level system program that primarily supports user hardware management. It is often used as an interface for interacting at the user level.

6. What is LILO?

LILO is Linux’s boot loader. The Linux operating system is mostly loaded into the main memory so that operations can continue.

7. What is the GUI?

Using pictures and symbols that users press and control to connect to the device, a GUI, or a visual user interface. The use of interactive elements makes communicating with the device simpler and more enticing instead of keeping commands in mind and typing them.

8. How do you open a command prompt when issuing a command?

Click Ctrl-Alt-F1 to open the default shell (where you can find the command prompt); this provides you a CCI GUI from which commands can be executed if required.

9. How can you find out how much memory Linux is using?

Using “concatenate” from the command shell for information about memory, use cat /proc/meminfo. A line beginning from anything like Mem should be seen: 64655360, etc. It is the whole Linux memory it feels should be used.

You can also use commands.

free - m
vmstat
top
htop

to find current memory usage

10. Does the Ctrl+Alt+Del key combination work on Linux?

Yes, it does. Like Windows, this key combination can be used to reset the machine. One distinction is that no confirmatory message is sent, and a reset is also automatic.

11. How do you refer to the parallel port where devices such as printers are connected?

Although the parallel port under Windows is the LPT port, you refer to it as /dev/lp under Linux. Therefore, /dev/lp0, /dev/lp1, or /dev/lp2 under Linux will be referred to as LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.

12. What's the command of PWD?

The PWD is short for the job directory control of printing.

Example:

pwd

Output:

/home/guru99/myDir

13. What is Swap space, and how does it work?

Swap space is the amount of physical memory allotted by Linux to keep specific concurrently running programs temporarily. This happens when RAM doesn’t have enough memory to accommodate all of the apps that are executing simultaneously. Memory swapping to and from physical storage is part of this memory management. To manage Swap space consumption, you can use a variety of commands and tools.

14. What does the Root account mean, and what are its functions?

Root account functions similarly to a system administrator account in which it grants you complete control over the system. When Linux is installed, the root account is used as the default account. Moreover, the Root account can accomplish the following tasks:

It can create user accounts.
It can keep track of user accounts.
It can assign various rights to each newly created account and so forth.

15. What do you mean by virtual desktop?

When several windows open on the current desktop and the problem of reducing and maximizing windows or restoring all available programs arises, ‘Virtual Desktop’ can be used as a substitute. It permits you to start one or more programs from scratch.

16. What impact does case sensitivity have on the way instructions are executed?

Linux is a case-sensitive operating system. Because you could enter different commands each time, case sensitivity can occasionally result in other replies for the same command. When it comes to case sensitivity, the command is identical, except for uppercase and lowercase letters.

For example, different outputs receive different instructions such as cd, CD, and Cd.

17. What is the Linux Shell?

A program known as the Linux shell is used to execute any instructions. The Linux shell provides a user interface for running commands and interacting with the Linux operating system. Linux Shell does not use the kernel to run programs, create files, or do other tasks.

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