`lsb_release` - print distribution-specific information

lsb_release [-a] [-i] [-d] [-r] [-c] [-s]

Options you will use

-a, --all: all of the fields below
-i, --id: distributor ID
-d, --description: description (the pretty name)
-r, --release: release number
-c, --codename: codename
-s, --short: values only, no labels (good for scripts)

Examples

$ lsb_release -a

which Ubuntu is this

$ lsb_release -cs

just the codename, e.g. for an apt sources line

Gotchas

/etc/os-release has the same facts and exists on every systemd distro; scripts should prefer it (. /etc/os-release; echo "$VERSION_ID").
"No LSB modules are available." goes to stderr and is harmless.

Try lsb_release in a real terminal Free, in your browser - a real Ubuntu terminal to try it in, with missions that check your work.