random source during system installation and stays
constant for all subsequent boots. Optionally, for
stateless systems it is generated during runtime at
- boot.</para>
+ boot if it is found to be empty.</para>
<para>The machine ID does not change based on user
configuration, or when hardware is replaced.</para>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
- <para>If you interpreting this file from code or a
- shell script, use the ID and VERSION_ID fields. When
- looking for an OS identification string for
- presentation to the user use the PRETTY_STRING
- field.</para>
+ <para>If you are reading this file from code or a
+ shell script to determine the OS or a specific version
+ of it, use the ID and VERSION_ID fields. When looking
+ for an OS identification string for presentation to
+ the user use the PRETTY_NAME field.</para>
<para>Note that operating system vendors may choose
not to provide version information, for example to