Checking the version of CentOS is a crucial step in managing and maintaining a CentOS system. It provides valuable information about the system’s software stack, enabling users to identify any security vulnerabilities or compatibility issues. Several methods can be employed to check the CentOS version, each with its advantages and use cases.
One of the simplest methods is to use the `cat` command to display the contents of the `/etc/centos-release` file. This file contains information about the CentOS version, including the major and minor version numbers. For example, running the following command will print the CentOS version: