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Debian

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Debian
NameDebian
DeveloperDebian Project
Source modelOpen source
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux), Micro (Hurd), Hybrid (FreeBSD)
Package managerdpkg / APT
UiGNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, LXDE, LXQt, MATE, Cinnamon
LicenseVarious, primarily GNU General Public License
Working stateCurrent
Released15 September 1993
Latest release version12 (Bookworm)
Latest release date10 June 2023
Marketing targetGeneral-purpose computing
Supported platformsx86-64, arm64, IBM Z, PowerPC, MIPS, RISC-V, IA-32, others

Debian. It is a major Linux distribution and a foundational operating system composed entirely of free and open-source software. The project is managed by the volunteer-based Debian Project and is renowned for its strict adherence to the Debian Social Contract and Debian Free Software Guidelines. Its robust package management system and vast software repositories have made it one of the most influential distributions, forming the base for many others including Ubuntu.

History

The project was announced in August 1993 by its founder Ian Murdock, who named it after himself and his then-girlfriend Debra Lynn. The first stable release, version 1.1, codenamed "Buzz", was made available in 1996. Early development was closely tied to the GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation, with the goal of creating a completely non-proprietary operating system. Key figures in its evolution have included Bruce Perens, who authored the Debian Social Contract, and the current project leader is elected annually by the Debian Developers.

Features

A defining characteristic is its comprehensive package management tools, primarily dpkg for low-level handling and the Advanced Package Tool (APT) for high-level operations and dependency resolution. It maintains one of the largest software repositories, containing tens of thousands of packages. The system is also notable for its multi-architecture support, running on hardware from Intel and AMD to ARM-based systems like the Raspberry Pi and mainframes like IBM Z. Security is managed through the Debian Security Advisory team, which provides timely updates.

Releases

Stable releases are made approximately every two years and are supported for about three years by the Debian Security Team, with longer-term support available through the Debian Long Term Support project. Releases are named after characters from the Toy Story films; recent versions include "Buster" (10), "Bullseye" (11), and the current "Bookworm" (12). The development branch is always called "Sid", named after the neighbor who broke toys. The project also maintains concurrent "Testing" and "Unstable" branches for ongoing development.

Governance

The project is governed by a constitution and managed by the elected Debian Project Leader, an annual position held by individuals such as Jonathan Carter and Sruthi Chandran. Major decisions are often made through general resolutions voted on by Debian Developers. Organizational structure includes teams like the Debian Technical Committee, which rules on technical disputes, and the Debian System Administrators (DSA), who maintain project infrastructure. The overarching philosophy is codified in the Debian Social Contract.

Derivatives

Due to its stability and licensing, it serves as the direct base for numerous popular distributions. The most prominent is Ubuntu, which in turn has spawned official flavors like Kubuntu and Xubuntu, as well as the privacy-focused Tails. Other notable derivatives include the lightweight Raspberry Pi OS, the security-oriented Kali Linux, and the user-friendly Linux Mint "Debian Edition". These derivatives demonstrate the flexibility and widespread adoption of its core systems.

Development

Development is a volunteer-driven, collaborative process involving thousands of contributors worldwide, coordinated primarily through mailing lists and the Debian Bug Tracking System. The project participates in major initiatives like Google Summer of Code to mentor new developers. Infrastructure is supported by sponsors such as Software in the Public Interest and hardware donations from companies like HP and IBM. The annual DebConf conference, held in locations from Kochi to Porto Alegre, is a key event for developers to meet and plan future work.

Category:Linux distributions Category:Free software projects Category:Software using the GNU GPL license