Which command would you use to reboot a Linux system?

Using the command init 6 is a method to reboot a Linux system by changing its runlevel to 6, which is designated for a system reboot in the SysVinit system. This command tells the init system to transition to the runlevel associated with a reboot. When executed, it initiates a sequence that safely shuts down all running processes and eventually restarts the system.

This approach can be particularly useful in older Linux distributions that rely on the init system for service management. Although modern distributions may prefer other methods, understanding the init command is essential since it highlights the historical context and traditional practices within Linux system management.

Alternative commands such as shutdown -h now and halt would either halt or power down the system rather than perform a reboot. The systemctl stop command is intended to stop a service or unit but does not facilitate a complete system reboot. Therefore, these other commands do not fulfill the requirement of rebooting the system, distinguishing init 6 as the correct choice.