How to check linux flavor and version

gistfile1.txt

For checking kernel version:
uname -a

For checking Linux flavor and version:
cat /proc/version

Once you know that you are running Red Hat for example, you can get to the point with:
cat /etc/redhat-release

Or on Debian:
cat /etc/debian_version

or in general :
cat /etc/*-release

Also you could use the following command
cat /etc/issue

Courtesy: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13036048/how-do-i-identify-the-particular-linux-flavor-via-command-line