This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of operation of running systems. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
To view the system's default runlevel (target) at boot, which command is used on a systemd-based system?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
systemd-analyze
Why wrong: Shows boot performance, not default target.
systemctl get-default
Shows the default target for systemd.
runlevel
Why wrong: Legacy command, may not show systemd target.
cat /etc/inittab
Why wrong: Legacy file, not used by systemd.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
systemctl get-default
On systemd-based systems, the default target (analogous to runlevel) is managed by systemctl. The command `systemctl get-default` queries the symlink at `/etc/systemd/system/default.target` to display which target is set to boot by default, making it the correct way to view the system's default boot target.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
systemd-analyze
Why it's wrong here
Shows boot performance, not default target.
systemctl get-default
Why this is correct
Shows the default target for systemd.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
runlevel
Why it's wrong here
Legacy command, may not show systemd target.
cat /etc/inittab
Why it's wrong here
Legacy file, not used by systemd.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates familiar with SysVinit may instinctively choose `runlevel` or `cat /etc/inittab`, not realizing that systemd replaces these with `systemctl` commands and uses target units instead of runlevels.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows boot performance, not default target.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `systemctl get-default` reads the target of the symbolic link `/etc/systemd/system/default.target`, which points to a target unit like `multi-user.target` or `graphical.target`. This symlink is set by `systemctl set-default` and is evaluated by PID 1 (systemd) during boot to determine the initial isolation target. A real-world scenario: if you accidentally set `rescue.target` as default, the system will boot into single-user mode, and you can verify this with `systemctl get-default` before fixing it with `systemctl set-default multi-user.target`.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LFCS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Operation of Running Systems — This question tests Operation of Running Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: systemctl get-default — On systemd-based systems, the default target (analogous to runlevel) is managed by systemctl. The command `systemctl get-default` queries the symlink at `/etc/systemd/system/default.target` to display which target is set to boot by default, making it the correct way to view the system's default boot target.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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