Questions tagged [distributions]
424 questions
248
votes
20 answers
How can I get distribution name and version number in a simple shell script?
I'm working on a simple bash script that should be able to run on Ubuntu and CentOS distributions (support for Debian and Fedora/RHEL would be a plus) and I need to know the name and version of the distribution the script is running (in order to…
Alix Axel
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96
votes
2 answers
Which distributions have $HOME/.local/bin in $PATH?
For example, in Ubuntu, there is always a .local directory in the home directory and .profile includes this line:
PATH="$HOME/bin:$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
$HOME/.local/bin does not exist by default, but if it is created it's already in $PATH and…
Stoffe
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77
votes
11 answers
How can I reliably get the operating system's name?
Say I am logged into a remote system, how can I know what it's running? On most modern Linuxes (Linuces?), you have the lsb_release command:
$ lsb_release -ic
Distributor ID: LinuxMint
Codename: debian
Which as far as I can tell just…
terdon
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61
votes
15 answers
How do you choose a distribution?
I'm currently looking at putting a Linux (although BSD is still an option) distribution on my old laptop. However, I'm not sure how to wade through all of my options - rolling releases versus not, Distribution X versus Distribution Y (I, personally,…
Thomas Owens
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56
votes
4 answers
Is there a tool/website to compare package status in different Linux distributions?
I am currently looking for a website or a tool that would allow me to compare the package state of a particular software in different Linux distributions.
For instance, which version of gimp is provided by Mint, Ubuntu, Debian Sid and Fedora 18?
An…
Thomas Moulard
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55
votes
6 answers
How to easily build your own Linux Distro?
I wanted to have a go at creating my very own Linux Distribution. Could you suggest some nice and easy-to-follow tutorials (preferably text based and not videos).
I have heard something about Arch Linux but I don't know how to go from there. What do…
Jakub
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51
votes
4 answers
How is Ubuntu based on Debian?
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu. Ubuntu is based on Debian. Like this, there are several other linux distributions that are based on Ubuntu, Debian, Slackware, etc. What confuses me is what does this mean i.e one Linux distro based on some other. How…
Suyash Mohan
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49
votes
9 answers
Linux distribution geared towards developers
I am looking for the best flavor of Linux that would appeal to the developer's side of me. I am a lover of open source and use several different languages.
Is there such a thing as a Linux geared towards developers?
Jaison Justus
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49
votes
3 answers
Linux Debian codenames
I've got a few, quite silly, non-technical questions about giving codenames to Debian releases.
Each Debian release has its unique codename, which is (so far) a characters' name from Toy Story movies by Pixar.
Here is list of all assigned codenames…
patryk.beza
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41
votes
5 answers
Who pays for the storage and bandwidth of repositories?
When I do a yum update or apt-get update, my machine is hitting several servers and downloading several packages. I would imagine that those servers are handling millions of similar requests on a daily basis.
Who pays for the maintenance,…
Mendhak
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31
votes
6 answers
What does it mean for a Linux distribution to be stable and how much does it matter for casual users?
What exactly is a "stable" Linux distribution and what are the (practical) consequences of using an "unstable" distribution?
Does it really matter for casual users (i.e. not sysadmins) ?
I've read this and this but I haven't got a clear answer…
alexandrosangeli
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31
votes
4 answers
How universal is sudo?
I was writing some instructions on how to install something (TeX-related - if you don't ask, I won't ruin your day by supplying more details) and used sudo to install system-wide. Someone commented that they didn't think that sudo was available on…
Andrew Stacey
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31
votes
4 answers
Why is Perl installed by default with most Linux distributions?
Why is Perl installed by default with most Linux distributions?
user23312
29
votes
5 answers
How to start a new Linux distro?
Some of my friends and I are interested in starting a new Linux distro. How do we do that? What do we need to plan?
Backstory
I represent a community of Linux sysadmins/implementors whose special needs include, among others:
A specific 'lean'…
pepoluan
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28
votes
5 answers
Identifying the system package manager
Is there a way (from a script) to identify the default system package manager?
To clarify, what I want to do is run a given command and, on Debian or any of its derivatives it'll return something like "apt", on openSUSE it'll return "zypp", on…
DrAl
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