CentOS version

The latest CentOS release is CentOS Stream 10, while legacy CentOS versions are no longer maintained
Current CentOS Versions

CentOS has transitioned from traditional point releases to a rolling-release model called CentOS Stream,
which tracks just ahead of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) development
The latest version is CentOS Stream 10, which receives continuous updates and improvements,
making it suitable for users who want to stay close to RHEL features and contribute to the ecosystem
Legacy CentOS versions, such as CentOS 7 or 8, are no longer actively maintained and are available only from the CentOS Vault for historical purposes

Checking Your Installed CentOS Version
There are several reliable methods to determine the CentOS version installed on your system:
Using /etc/centos-release or /etc/redhat-release
Run the command:
cat /etc/centos-release
or
cat /etc/redhat-release
This displays the full version number, eg, CentOS Linux 7 9
2009, where the first number indicates the major version, the second the minor version, and the last part the release date


Using lsb_release command

lsb_release -a
This requires the redhat-lsb-core package
It provides detailed distribution information including release number and name
Using hostnamectl command

hostnamectl
This prints system information including the operating system and version, Operating System: CentOS Linux 7
Using rpm package query

rpm -q centos-release
This shows the installed CentOS release package version
Using /etc/os-release file

cat /etc/os-release

This is a standard method on systemd-based systems (CentOS 7+), providing a concise and parseable version description


Why Knowing the Version Matters
Software compatibility: Some applications require specific CentOS versions
Security updates: Different versions have different support lifecycles; CentOS 7 maintenance ends in 2024, while CentOS Stream is continuously updated
System management: Commands and service management differ between versions
Upgrade planning: Knowing your version helps plan migration to CentOS Stream or alternative distributions like Rocky Linux
By using these methods, you can accurately identify your CentOS version and make informed decisions about updates,
software installation, and system management