20 Linux Interview Questions


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If you are here, then you probably scored an interview with a job that involves https://itinterviewguide.com/apacheinterviewquestions/“>Linux. When it comes to technical jobs, your employer will have to make sure that you are as skilled in knowledge as your https://itinterviewguide.com/webservervsapplicationserver/“>application claims. Of course, even if you are confident in your knowledge, the https://itinterviewguide.com/apacheinterviewquestions/“>interview process is enough to make anyone nervous.?

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It can still help to know what the interviewer might ask so that you can be prepared for it. In this guide, we will go over some of the more common Linux interview questions and the answers that go with them.

What Are Linux Jobs?

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Any job that you can think of a https://itinterviewguide.com/lispprogramming/“>Windows technician having, there is a job for people who also know Linux. Jobs in developing, programming, IT and even technical writing are only a small portion of the jobs available for Linux https://www.thefreedictionary.com/savvy” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>savvy people.

Why Prepare Answers for the Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mHjMNZZvFo

Preparation is the key to scoring your job! Hence, there is always a need to have example questions and answers for you to research. This can help make you a little less nervous before the interview. The more prepared you are, the more you are going to come across as knowledgeable, confident and ready for the tasks of the job.

Here are some of the benefits of preparing your answers in advance:

  • Confidence
  • Less anxiety before the interview
  • Improved chance of impressing your new boss

Most potential employers want to seal the deal when they go into an interview. If you go in unprepared, this is less likely to happen.

20 Linux Interview Questions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0QGLMwRlY

Keep in mind that with these questions, there may be variations when you get to the interview. An interviewer may have a different way of phrasing the question or may not ask every question on the list. In addition, he or she may ask more than what is included in our list. Make sure to phrase your answers in your own words. Use these example answers as the foundation of how you will answer your interviewer. After all, most interviews are conversational.

1. What Is Linux?

Linux is a popular open source, free operating system, similar to Unix. This makes it the foundation of any computer it?s installed on. Since it is open source and free, anyone is can run it and administrators can study and customize the OS how they see fit.

2. What Are Linux?s Components?

Linux has three components: Kernel, System Library, and System Utility. The Kernel is what manages hardware resources. System Library is how applications and programs access Kernel. System Utility performs more individual and specific tasks.

3. Are There Differences Between Unix and Linux?

https://youtu.be/8cR_fQjrBiE

While Linux is a clone of Unix, there are still plenty of differences between the two. The first is that unlike Unix, Linux is open source. Unix isn?t, so this means that developers cannot modify Unix how they see fit. There is no way to modify it in the same way that you can modify Linux. Additionally, while Unix does cost money, Linux is a free operating system. Lastly, Linux is generally more flexible than Unix is. You can use a wider variety of hardware with Linux.

4. What are the Important Features of Linux?

Linux has many different features, but here are some of the main features:

  • Linux Kernel is portable
  • It supports multiple users
  • Its hierarchical file system code is free for everyone
  • It has live CD/USB installation available
  • It can multitask various functions

5. Why Do We Use Linux?

There are a lot of reasons for people to use and prefer Linux. On one hand, it is different from other popular operating systems. It comes with extras and additional features that other operating systems don?t have. The fact that it is the free and open source is one of the biggest motivators for people to use it. Not only is it free of charge, but it allows programmers to design their own OS. When it comes to viruses and malware, it?s at a low risk and even when infected, it is easy to clean up and manage the computer.

6. What Is BASH?

https://youtu.be/oxuRxtrO2Ag

BASH is the Unix shell for the operating system. This program allows you to enter data and have it understood and executed. In other words, it is the command language interpreter.

7. What Are the Differences Between BASH and DOS?

Between BASH and DOS, there are a few differences. Here are the three main differences between the two:

  • DOS has no file naming convention, whereas BASH file naming has to include 8 characters followed by a dot and 3 letters.
  • BASH commands are case sensitive, whereas DOS is not.
  • The / and \ keys are used differently in both. / is a directory separator in BASH and \ is an escape character.

8. What is LILO?

https://youtu.be/dHNd9aAFm_o

LILO is the Linux Loader. The bootloader loads the main memory and this is what starts up the computer and begins the operations.

9. Can You Explain Swap Space?

Sometimes, when running concurrent programs, a computer?s RAM won?t have enough memory to support it. In this scenario, Swap Space can hold programs temporarily and it swaps the memory to and from the physical storage.

10. What Is a Virtual Desktop?

https://youtu.be/bjE6qXd6Itw

Virtual Desktop is a solution for running multiple windows on the desktop. Sometimes when a user is running several windows, he or she may have a problem minimizing or maximizing the windows. Virtual Desktops are on a remote server and allow the user to open one or more programs on a clean slate.

The benefits of the Virtual Desktop are essential as follows:

  • Resource and energy efficient
  • Improved data integrity
  • Improved compatibility

11. What Is the Root Account?

The root account is much like the system administrator account or default account. It?s the account that maintains and creates user accounts and can provide permissions to each account.

12. What Do You Know About CLI?

CLI is the Command Line Interface. This is where a user can interact with the computer. It is a flexible system, where the user can type declarative commands that the computer will perform.

13. How Can You Check the Memory Used by Linux?

There are about 5 commands that a person can use to find the memory being used by Linux:

  • Htop
  • Free command
  • /proc/meminfo
  • Top command
  • Vmstat

14. What Is Crontab?

https://youtu.be/7MFMnsnfBJs

Cron executes commands at intervals on a set time and date. In a set up with multiple users, every user can have specific crontabs.

15. Is there a Maximum File Name Length?

Yes, there is. Any file name in Linux has to be fewer than 255 characters.

16. What Are the Three Kinds of File Permissions?

The three types of permissions in Linux are as follows:

  • Read
  • Write
  • Execute

The definitions of each are simply just what they say. Reading allows a user to open and read files, write allows a user to modify the file, execute allows a user to run the file.

17. What Are Some Important Linux Distributors?

Different organizations develop different components of Linux. For instance, Kernel, graphics programs and system environment have different organizations to assemble them. Here are some of the important distributors:

  • Ubuntu
  • Linux Mint
  • Desbian
  • Fedora
  • Red Hat Enterprise
  • Arch Linux

18.? Does Ctrl + Alt + Delete Do Anything in Linux?

Yes, it does. It performs the same function that it does in Windows, meaning that it will restart the system. The big difference between the two is that on Linux, the user won?t receive a confirmation message.

19. Does Case Sensitivity Affect Commands?

Yes, case sensitivity affects commands. If a user isn?t careful with case sensitivity, then he or she may end up using the wrong command. Different commands have different outputs, so you have to be aware of case sensitivity.

20.? Why is Linux Considered Secure Beyond Other Operating Systems?

https://youtu.be/M48naKSLvNs

Linux has a few protections in place that allow it to stay one of the most secure operating systems available. With default privileges allowed to lower levels, a virus attack will only affect local files. This keeps the system itself safe. In addition, it has stronger program permissions. This means that it is harder for a virus or outside source to install anything on your machine. Additionally, it keeps detailed logs and has IPtables to keep the machine secure.

Be Ready for Your Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI6jiwoqxg4

Even when you?re confident that you have all of the information necessary, it can be easy to blank on an answer when your nerves set in. Sometimes, you may have the information, but be thrown off by a question that the interviewer asks or even the way it is phrased. The questions that we compiled are a list of some of the more common questions that interviewers ask. It covers the basics of Linux.

You?ll feel better about yourself on the day of the interview if you have some idea about what you could be asked and the information that you should have readily available. The more confident you are, the more likely you are to score the job.

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