In a previous post we talked about Debian Stable, Testing, and Unstable
But how does this relate to LTS and Rolling Release distributions in Linux? Well, let's dive into that now:
LTS (Long Term Support) vs No LTS
LTS (Long Term Support) distributions are designed to offer long-term stability and security. They have a longer lifecycle, receiving security updates and bug fixes for an extended period, typically between 5 to 10 years depending on the distribution.
On the other hand, non-LTS versions have a shorter lifecycle, usually between 6 months and 2 years, and receive more frequent updates. This allows access to more recent software, but with the potential cost of reduced stability.
Examples:
- LTS: Ubuntu LTS (22.04, 24.04), Debian Stable, RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux).
- No LTS: Ubuntu 23.10, Fedora, OpenSUSE Leap.
Rolling Release vs Point Release
Rolling Release distributions don't have fixed versions; instead, their packages are continuously updated. In other words, they are always on the latest available version. This allows immediate access to software updates, but it can introduce stability risks.
Point Release distributions, on the other hand, release concrete versions and maintain them with security and stability updates until the next major release.
Examples:
- Rolling Release: Arch Linux, OpenSUSE Tumbleweed, Void Linux.
- Point Release: Debian Stable, Ubuntu LTS, Fedora.
Where Does Debian Fit?
Debian combines different approaches depending on the branch being used:
- Debian Stable: It is a Point Release distribution and acts as an LTS version, with extended support.
- Debian Testing: It is constantly updated until the "freeze" before the next stable release. Although not a pure Rolling Release, it functions similarly.
- Debian Unstable (Sid): It receives continuous changes and resembles a Rolling Release, but without guaranteed stability.
Conclusion
If you're looking for long-term stability and security, an LTS or Point Release distribution like Debian Stable or Ubuntu LTS is ideal. If you prefer to have always up-to-date software and don't mind taking some risks, a Rolling Release like Arch Linux or Debian Unstable might be more appealing.
The choice depends on your needs: stability vs constant updates. Which do you prefer?
