Beginner-Level Linux Interview Questions

The following 15 Linux interview questions are suitable for freshers because these questions will have basic information about Linux.

1. What is Linux?

Linus Torvalds developed Linux, a Unix-like, free, open-source, and kernel operating system. Mainly it is designed for systems, servers, embedded devices, mobile devices, and mainframes and is also supported on major computer platforms such as ARM, x86, and SPARC.

2. Explain the basic features of the Linux OS.

Some basic features of Linux are:

• Linux is free and easily available.
• It is more secure than other operating systems because it uses security auditing and password authentication features.
• Linux has its personal software repository.
• It includes multiple languages throughout the world. Hence Linux supports different language keyboards.
• It offers CLI and GUI to use different commands and applications such as Firefox, VLC, etc.

3. Name some Linux Distros

There are various Linux distros but the following are the most commonly used:

• Ubuntu
• Debian
• CentOS
• Fedora
• RedHat

4. What are the major differences between Linux and Windows?

The following table will help in understanding the differences between Linux and Windows:

5. Define the basic components of Linux.

Majorly there are five basic components of Linux:

• Kernel: Linux kernel is a core part of the operating system that works as a bridge between hardware and software.
• Shell: Shell is an interface between a kernel and a user.
• GUI: Offers different way to interact with the system, known as the graphical user interface (GUI).
• Application programs: It is designed to perform a bundle of tasks through a bundle of functions.
• System Utilities: It is the software functions through which users manage the system.

6. Elaborate all the file permission in Linux.

There are three types of file permissions in Linux:

• Read: Users open and read files with this permission.
• Write: Users can open and modify the files.
• Execute: Users can run the file.

7. What is the Linux Kernel? Is it legal to edit it?

It is known as a low-level software system. The Linux kernel tracks the resources and provides a user interface. This OS is released under GPL (General Public License). Hence every project is released under it. So, you can edit the Linux kernel legally.

8. Explain LILO

LILO, i.e., Linux Loader and is a Linux Boot loader. It loads the Linux operating system into memory and starts the execution. Most operating systems like Windows and macOS come with a bootloader. While in Linux, you need to install a separate boot loader, and LILO is one of the Linux boot loaders.

9. What is Shell in Linux?

In Linux, five Shells are used:

• csh (C Shell): This shell offers job control and spell checking and is similar to C syntax.]
• ksh (Korn Shell): A high-level shell for programming languages.
• ssh (Z Shell): This shell has a unique nature, such as closing comments, startup files, file name generating, and observing logout/login watching.
• bash (Bourne Again Shell): This is the default shell for Linux.
• Fish (Friendly Interactive Shell): This shell provides auto-suggestion, web-based configuration, etc.

10. What is a root account?

The root is like the user’s name or system administrator account in Linux. The root account provides complete system control, which an ordinary user cannot do.

11. Describe CLI and GUI in Linux.

CLI, i.e., command line interface. It takes input as a command and runs the tasks of the system. The term GUI refers to the Graphical User Interface or the human-computer interface. It uses icons, images, menus, and windows, which can be manipulated through the mouse.

12. What is Swap Space?

Linux uses swap space to expand RAM. Linux uses this extra space to hold concurrently running programs temporarily.

13. What is the difference between hard links and soft links?

Here is the table that shows the difference between soft links and hard links:

14. How do users create a symbolic link in Linux?

Symbolic links, symlink, or soft links are shortcuts to files and directories. Users can create the symbolic link in Linux through the’ ln’ command. The general command to create a symbolic link is as follows:

ln -s <existing_source file> <optional_symbolic link>

15. What do you understand about the standard streams?

Output and input in Linux OS are divided into three standard streams: 

• Stdin (standard input)
• stdout(standard output)
• stderr (standard error)

Under Linux, these standard streams channel communication of output and input between programs and their environment.

Linux has hundreds of important concepts for you to understand before the interview. That’s why Linux Interview questions are useful in preparing for the job. These questions contain basic and advanced approaches of the field that you must learn before any interview. The correct knowledge about Linux can help you make a different spot from other candidates.

Hence, learning interview questions can benefit you in competitiveness, interview success, confidence-building, and many more. If you are also preparing for a job in the Linux field, the following questions will surely benefit you. Here we have included the Top Linux Interview Questions you can learn as a beginner, intermediate, or expert.