Debian: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox OS

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== History ==

{{Further|Debian version history}}

=== Founding (1993–1998) ===

Debian 0.01, released on September 15, 1993, was the first of several internal releases.<ref name="ChangeLog">{{Cite web |title=ChangeLog |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/historic-linux/distributions/debian-0.91/ChangeLog |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106042725/http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/historic-linux/distributions/debian-0.91/ChangeLog |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=2016-08-18 |publisher=[[ibiblio]]}}</ref> Version 0.90 was the first public release,<ref name="ChangeLog"/> supported through mailing lists hosted at [[Pixar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1994-01-31 |title=Release-0.91 |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/historic-linux/distributions/debian-0.91/debian-0.91/RELEASE-0.91 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133319/http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/historic-linux/distributions/debian-0.91/debian-0.91/RELEASE-0.91 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=2014-07-03 |publisher=[[ibiblio]]}}</ref> The release included the Debian Linux [[Manifesto]], outlining Murdock's view for the new [[operating system]]. In it he called for creating a distribution to be maintained "openly in the spirit of Linux and GNU."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murdock |first=Ian A. |author-link=Ian Murdock |date=1994-01-06 |title=The Debian Linux Manifesto |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/historic-linux/distributions/debian-0.91/info/Manifesto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133321/http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/historic-linux/distributions/debian-0.91/info/Manifesto |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=2014-07-17 |publisher=[[ibiblio]]}}</ref>

In 1996, [[Bruce Perens]] assumed project leadership. He was a controversial leader, regarded as authoritarian and strongly attached to Debian.{{sfn |Hertzog |2013 |p=9}} He drafted a [[social contract]] and edited suggestions from a month-long discussion into the Debian Social Contract and the Debian Free Software Guidelines.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Perens |first=Bruce |title=Debian's 'Social Contract' with the Free Software Community |mailing-list=debian-announce |date=1997-07-05 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1997/msg00017.html |access-date=2014-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060610070939/http://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/debian-announce-1997/msg00017.html |archive-date=June 10, 2006 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian |author-link=Bruce Perens}}</ref> After the FSF withdrew their sponsorship in the midst of the [[Free and open-source software|free software vs. open source debate]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's Time to Talk About Free Software Again |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/1999/02/msg01641.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716055445/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/1999/02/msg01641.html |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Perens initiated the creation of the legal [[umbrella organization]] [[Software in the Public Interest]] instead of seeking renewed involvement with the FSF.<ref name="history4"/> He led the conversion of the project from the [[a.out]] to the [[Executable and Linkable Format|ELF]] executable format.<ref name="Scheetz 1998"/> He created the [[BusyBox]] program to make it possible to run a Debian installer from a single [[floppy disk]], and wrote a new installer.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Perens |first=Bruce |author-link=Bruce Perens |date=2000-11-01 |title=Building Tiny Linux Systems with Busybox–Part I |url=http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4335 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606231721/http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4335 |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-05 |magazine=[[Linux Journal]]}}</ref> By the time Debian 1.2 was released, the project had grown to nearly two hundred volunteers.<ref name="Scheetz 1998"/> Perens left the project in 1998.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Perens |first=Bruce |title=I am leaving Debian |mailing-list=debian-user |date=1998-03-18 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/1998/03/msg01628.html |access-date=2014-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706171832/https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/1998/03/msg01628.html |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian |author-link=Bruce Perens}}</ref>

=== Leader election (1999–2005) ===

Some events disturbed the project while the Sarge release was in preparation, as Debian servers were attacked by fire and hackers.<ref name="history4"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Orlowski |date=2003-12-02 |title=Hackers used unpatched server to breach Debian |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/12/02/hackers_used_unpatched_server/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703125104/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/12/02/hackers_used_unpatched_server/ |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |access-date=2014-08-03 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> One of the most memorable was the Vancouver prospectus.{{sfn |Coleman |2013 |pp=150–156}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Orlowski |date=2005-03-14 |title=Debian drops mainframe, Sparc development |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/14/debian_reduced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703150116/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/14/debian_reduced/ |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |access-date=2014-08-03 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Verhelst |first=Wouter |title=Results of the meeting in Helsinki about the Vancouver proposal |mailing-list=debian-devel-announce |date=2005-08-21 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2005/08/msg00009.html |access-date=2014-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051225/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2005/08/msg00009.html |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref> After a meeting held in [[Vancouver]], release manager Steve Langasek announced a plan to reduce the number of supported ports to four in order to shorten future release cycles.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Langasek |first=Steve |title=Bits (Nybbles?) from the Vancouver release team meeting |mailing-list=debian-devel-announce |date=2005-03-14 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2005/03/msg00012.html |access-date=2014-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051223/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2005/03/msg00012.html |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref> There was a large reaction because the proposal looked more like a decision and because such a drop would damage Debian's aim to be "the universal operating system".{{sfn |Coleman |2013 |pp=153–154}}<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Jarno |first=Aurélien |title=Re: Bits (Nybbles?) from the Vancouver release team meeting |mailing-list=debian-devel |date=2005-03-14 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2005/03/msg00712.html |access-date=2014-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051316/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2005/03/msg00712.html |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Blache |first=Julien |title=Re: Bits (Nybbles?) from the Vancouver release team meeting |mailing-list=debian-devel |date=2005-03-14 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2005/03/msg00761.html |access-date=2014-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051319/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2005/03/msg00761.html |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

===Sarge and later releases (2005–present)===

[[File:Debian Etch-ja.png|thumb|250px|Debian 4 (Etch), 2007]]

[[File:Iceweasel icon.svg|thumb|64px|left|[[Iceweasel]] logo]]

[[File:Debian 6.0.2.1.png|thumb|250px|Debian 6 (Squeeze), 2011]]

== Features ==

[[File:Debian 12 GRUB, UEFI mode.png|thumb|Debian 12 installation menu (UEFI Mode)]]

Beyond the typical server environment, Debian is increasingly used in cloud computing, containerization, and [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) development. It serves as a foundation for Docker containers and is supported by Google Cloud's deep learning [[virtual machine]]s (VMs), positioning it as a platform for new workloads.<ref name="IntroVM">{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Introduction to Deep Learning VM |url=https://cloud.google.com/deep-learning-vm/docs/introduction |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Google Cloud}}</ref>

=== Kernels ===

Several flavors of the Linux kernel exist for each port. For example, the i386 port has flavors for IA-32 [[IBM PC compatible|PCs]] supporting [[Physical Address Extension]] and [[real-time computing]], for older PCs, and for x86-64 PCs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virtual Package: linux-image |url=https://packages.debian.org/wheezy/linux-image |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084518/https://packages.debian.org/wheezy/linux-image |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-15 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> The Linux kernel does not officially contain [[firmware]] lacking source code, although such firmware is available in non-free packages and alternative installation media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-14 |title=Chapter 2 – Debian kernel source |url=https://kernel-handbook.alioth.debian.org/ch-source.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604095349/http://kernel-handbook.alioth.debian.org/ch-source.html |archive-date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-15 |website=Debian Linux Kernel Handbook |publisher=[[Alioth (Debian)|Alioth]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Unofficial non-free CDs including firmware packages |url=http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816095235/http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/ |archive-date=August 16, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-16 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

=== Localization ===

Multimedia support has been problematic in Debian regarding [[codec]]s threatened by possible patent infringements, lacking source code, or under too restrictive licenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mejia |first=Andres |date=2012-03-18 |title=Diff for 'MultimediaCodecs' |url=https://wiki.debian.org/MultimediaCodecs?action=diff&rev1=56&rev2=59 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020092141/https://wiki.debian.org/MultimediaCodecs?action=diff&rev1=56&rev2=59 |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |access-date=2014-10-16 |publisher=Debian Wiki}}</ref> Even though packages with problems related to their distribution could go into the non-free area, software such as [[libdvdcss]] is not hosted at Debian .<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-07-25 |title=RFP: libdvdcss – Library to read scrambled DVDs |url=https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=154281 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202162508/https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=154281 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=2014-07-09 |publisher=Debian BTS}}</ref>

== Distribution{{anchor|Live_images}} ==

Debian offers different network installation methods. A minimal install of Debian is available via the ''netinst'' CD, whereby Debian is installed with just a base and later added software can be downloaded from the Internet. Another option is to boot the installer from the network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installing Debian GNU/Linux via the Internet |url=http://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808041922/http://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |access-date=2008-12-11 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

The default desktop may be chosen from the DVD boot menu among [[GNOME]], [[KDE Plasma]], [[Xfce]], [[LXDE]], and [[LXQt]] and from special disc 1 CDs.<ref name="installation-7-6.3">{{Cite web |year=2013 |title=6.3. Using Individual Components |url=http://www.debian.org/releases/wheezy/i386/ch06s03.html.en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224224113/http://www.debian.org/releases/wheezy/i386/ch06s03.html.en |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=2014-05-30 |website=Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide |publisher=Debian |df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="wheezy-hands-on">{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=J.A. |date=2013-05-28 |title=Debian Linux 7.0 Wheezy: Hands on |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/debian-linux-7-0-wheezy-hands-on/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501235852/http://www.zdnet.com/debian-linux-7-0-wheezy-hands-on-7000015889/ |archive-date=May 1, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-10 |work=[[ZDNet]] |quote=For the CD images, it is useful to know that Debian supports a number of different desktops, including GNOME, KDE, Xfce, MATE and LXDE, and there is a different 'disk 1' image for each of these desktops.}}</ref>

== Packages ==

[[Package manager|Package management]] operations can be performed with different tools available on Debian, from the lowest level command <kbd>dpkg</kbd> to graphical front-ends like [[Synaptic (software)|Synaptic]]. The recommended standard for administering packages on a Debian system is the <kbd>apt</kbd> toolset.<ref name="deb-ref-2">{{Cite web |date=2013-12-03 |title=Chapter 2. Debian package management |url=http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808070729/http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.en.html |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |access-date=2014-05-29 |website=Debian Reference |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

=== APT tools ===

An Advanced Packaging Tool ([[APT (software)|APT]]) allows a Debian system to retrieve and resolve package [[Coupling (computer programming)|dependencies]] from [[Software repository|repositories]]. APT tools share dependency information and cached packages.<ref name="deb-ref-2"/>

* The <kbd>apt</kbd> command is intended as an end user interface and enables some options better suited for interactive usage by default compared to more specialized APT like apt-get and apt-cache explained below.

=== {{Anchor|GDEBI}}GDebi and other front-ends ===

[[File:GDebi Package installer.png|thumb|Screenshot of GDebi Package installer]]

[[GNOME Software]] is a graphical front-end for [[PackageKit]], which can work on various software packaging systems.

=== Cross-distribution package managers ===

'''Four most popular cross-distribution package managers, sorted in alphabetical order:'''

* [[Flatpak]] software code is owned and maintained by the not for profit Flatpak Team, with an open source [[GNU Lesser General Public License|LGPL-2.1-or-later]] license.

* [[Homebrew (package manager)|Homebrew]] software code is owned and maintained by its original author Max Howell, with an open source [[BSD 2-Clause License]].

== Branches ==

Three [[Branching (version control)|branches]] of Debian (also called ''releases'', ''distributions'' or ''suites'') are regularly maintained:<ref name="debian-releases">{{Cite web |title=Debian Releases |url=http://www.debian.org/releases/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011180740/http://www.debian.org/releases/ |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=2014-06-22 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

* ''Unstable'', always codenamed ''sid'', is the [[Trunk (software)|trunk]]. Packages are accepted without checking the distribution as a whole.<ref name="distributions"/> This branch is usually run by software developers who participate in a project and need the latest libraries available, and by those who prefer [[Bleeding edge technology|bleeding-edge]] software.<ref name="debian-releases"/> Debian does not provide full Sid installation discs, but rather a minimal ISO that can be used to install over a network connection. Additionally, this branch can be installed through a system upgrade from ''stable'' or ''testing''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.debian.org/CD/faq/#unstable-images |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195751/https://www.debian.org/CD/faq/#unstable-images |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-09 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

Other branches in Debian:

The ''snapshot'' archive provides older versions of the branches. They may be used to install a specific older version of some software.<ref>{{Cite web |title=snapshot.debian.org |url=http://snapshot.debian.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613201839/http://snapshot.debian.org/ |archive-date=June 13, 2019 |access-date=2014-07-09 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

The numbering scheme for the point releases up to Debian 4.0 was to include the letter ''r'' (for ''revision''){{sfn |Hertzog |2013 |loc=Section 1.6}} after the main version number and then the number of the point release; for example, the latest point release of version 4.0 is 4.0r9.<ref name="etch-release">{{Cite web |date=2010-05-22 |title=Release |url=http://archive.debian.org/debian/dists/Debian-4.0/Release |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815043253/http://archive.debian.org/debian/dists/Debian-4.0/Release |archive-date=August 15, 2015 |access-date=2014-06-05 |website=etch |publisher=Debian}}</ref> This scheme was chosen because a new dotted version would make the old one look obsolete and vendors would have trouble selling their CDs.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Schulze |first=Martin |title=Naming of new 2.0 release |mailing-list=debian-devel |date=1998-08-24 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/1998/08/msg01581.html |access-date=2014-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728001008/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/1998/08/msg01581.html |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

== Branding ==

Debian has two logos. The official logo (also known as <q>''open use logo''</q>) contains the well-known Debian <q>''swirl''</q> and best represents the visual identity of the Debian Project. A separate logo also exists for use by the Debian Project and its members only.<ref name=":2"/>

| 1&nbsp;[[gibibyte|GiB]]

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=== Architectures ===

Unofficial ports are available as part of the ''unstable'' distribution:<ref name="packages_base-files"/>

* loong64: [[Loongson#LoongArch|LoongArch]]<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=John Paul Adrian Glaubitz |title=LoongArch architecture added to Debian Ports |mailing-list=debian-devel-announce |date=2023-08-16 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2023/08/msg00000.html |access-date=2023-08-18 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

Debian supports a variety of [[ARM architecture|ARM]]-based [[network-attached storage]] (NAS) devices. The [[NSLU2]] was supported by the installer in Debian 4.0 and 5.0,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Silas |title=Upgrading your Slug LG #161 |url=http://linuxgazette.net/161/brownss.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216182528/http://linuxgazette.net/161/brownss.html |archive-date=December 16, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-27 |publisher=[[Linux Gazette]]}}</ref> and [[Martin Michlmayr]] is providing installation [[tar (computing)|tarballs]] since version 6.0.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-02-24 |title=Installing Debian on NSLU2 |url=http://www.cyrius.com/debian/nslu2/install/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531043624/http://www.cyrius.com/debian/nslu2/install/ |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |access-date=2011-07-27 |publisher=[[Martin Michlmayr]]}}</ref> Other supported NAS devices are the [[Buffalo network-attached storage series|Buffalo]] Kurobox Pro,<ref name="new-in-lenny-arm">{{Cite web |title=Chapter 2. What's new in Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 |url=http://www.debian.org/releases/lenny/arm/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628192707/http://www.debian.org/releases/lenny/arm/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.html |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=2011-07-27 |website=Release Notes for Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 (lenny), ARM |publisher=Debian}}</ref> GLAN Tank, Thecus N2100<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-08-16 |title=Chapter 2 – What's new in Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 |url=http://www.debian.org/releases/etch/arm/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628192754/http://www.debian.org/releases/etch/arm/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.html |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=2011-07-27 |website=Release Notes for Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 ('etch'), ARM |publisher=Debian}}</ref> and QNAP Turbo Stations.<ref name="new-in-lenny-arm"/>

Devices based on the Kirkwood [[system on a chip]] (SoC) are supported too, such as the [[SheevaPlug]] plug computer and OpenRD products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 2. What's new in Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 |url=http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/armel/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.html#newforarm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109222500/https://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/armel/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.html#newforarm |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=2011-07-27 |website=Release Notes for Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 (squeeze), ARM EABI |publisher=Debian}}</ref> There are efforts to run Debian on mobile devices, but this is not a project goal yet since the Debian Linux kernel maintainers would not apply the needed patches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-10 |title=Debian Project News – December 10th, 2012 |url=http://www.debian.org/News/weekly/2012/24/index.en.html#mobiles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706181403/https://www.debian.org/News/weekly/2012/24/index.en.html#mobiles |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-17 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> Nevertheless, packages exist for resource-limited systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Package: matchbox (1:5) |url=https://packages.debian.org/wheezy/matchbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706173217/https://packages.debian.org/wheezy/matchbox |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-17 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

== Organization ==

* To improve the support for their favorite technology<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Joeris |first=Steffen |title=AM report for Jakub Wilk |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2010-01-03 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2010/01/msg00000.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725095952/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2010/01/msg00000.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

* They are involved with a Debian derivative<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Wolf |first=Gunnar |title=AM report for Kamal Mostafa |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2011-01-13 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2011/01/msg00005.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725090122/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2011/01/msg00005.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

* To make their Debian maintenance work easier<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Wiltshire |first=Jonathan |title=AM report for Manuel A. Fernandez Montecelo |mailing-list=debian-newmaint |date=2013-01-06 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2013/01/msg00004.html |access-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725085515/https://lists.debian.org/debian-newmaint/2013/01/msg00004.html |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

Debian developers may resign their position at any time, or when deemed necessary, they can be expelled.<ref name="constitution"/> Those who follow the retiring protocol are granted ''emeritus'' status and may regain their membership via a shortened new member process.<ref name="developer-duties">{{Cite web |title=Chapter 3. Debian Developer's Duties |url=http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/developers-reference/developer-duties.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716214122/http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/developers-reference/developer-duties.html |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-19 |website=Debian Developer's Reference |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

== Development ==

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A version of a package can belong to more than one branch, usually ''testing'' and ''unstable''. It is possible for a package to keep the same version between stable releases and be part of ''oldstable'', ''stable'', ''testing'' and ''unstable'' at the same time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Package Search Results – dict-bouvier |url=https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=dict-bouvier |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606233141/https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=dict-bouvier |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-04 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> Each branch can be seen as a collection of pointers into the package "pool" mentioned above.<ref name="distributions"/>

=== Release cycle ===

=== Security ===

The Debian project handles security through [[Full disclosure (computer security)|public disclosure]]. Debian security advisories are compatible with the [[Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures]] dictionary, are usually coordinated with other free software vendors and are published the same day a vulnerability is made public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Information |url=http://www.debian.org/security/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031073733/http://www.debian.org/security/ |archive-date=October 31, 2012 |access-date=2008-12-13 |publisher=Debian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-16 |title=Organizations Participating |url=https://cve.mitre.org/compatible/organizations.html#Software%20in%20the%20Public%20Interest,%20Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526085923/http://cve.mitre.org/compatible/organizations.html#Software%20in%20the%20Public%20Interest,%20Inc. |archive-date=May 26, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-05 |publisher=[[Mitre Corporation|MITRE]]}}</ref> There used to be a security audit project that focused on packages in the stable release looking for security bugs;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-15 |title=Debian Security Audit Project |url=http://www.debian.org/security/audit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606223459/https://www.debian.org/security/audit/ |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-04 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> Steve Kemp, who started the project, retired in 2011 but resumed his activities and applied to rejoin in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advisories |url=http://www.steve.org.uk/Security/Advisories/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084841/http://www.steve.org.uk/Security/Advisories/ |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-18 |publisher=Steve Kemp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Steve Kemp |url=https://nm.debian.org/public/person/skx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084712/https://nm.debian.org/public/person/skx |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=2014-08-18 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

In May 2008, a Debian developer discovered that the [[OpenSSL]] package distributed with Debian and derivatives such as [[Ubuntu]] made a variety of security keys vulnerable to a [[random number generator attack]], since only 32,767 different keys were generated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-13 |title=DSA-1571-1 openssl: predictable random number generator |url=http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1571 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309045023/http://www.debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1571 |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=2008-10-31 |publisher=Debian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CVE-2008-0166 |url=http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-0166 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714005052/http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-0166 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-21 |publisher=[[Mitre Corporation|MITRE]]}}</ref><ref name="garfinkel">{{Cite magazine |last=Garfinkel |first=Simson |author-link=Simson Garfinkel |date=2008-05-20 |title=Alarming Open-Source Security Holes |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/05/20/220474/alarming-open-source-security-holes/ |access-date=2014-07-21 |magazine=[[MIT Technology Review]]}}</ref> The security weakness was caused by changes made in 2006 by another Debian developer in response to memory debugger warnings.<ref name="garfinkel"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-04-19 |title=valgrind-clean the RNG |url=https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=363516 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806025755/https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=363516 |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-21 |publisher=Debian BTS}}</ref> The complete resolution procedure was cumbersome because patching the security hole was not enough; it involved regenerating all affected keys and certificates.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=When Private Keys are Public: Results from the 2008 Debian OpenSSL Vulnerability |url=http://cseweb.ucsd.edu/~hovav/dist/debiankey.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192449/http://cseweb.ucsd.edu/~hovav/dist/debiankey.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=2014-06-22 |publisher=[[University of California, San Diego]]}}</ref>

=== Value ===

== Institutional users ==

[[Debian Pure Blend]]s are subsets of a Debian release configured out-of-the-box for users with particular skills and interests.<ref name="debian-pure-blends">{{Cite web |title=Chapter 2. What are Debian Pure Blends? |url=http://blends.debian.org/blends/ch02.html#Blends |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215131/http://blends.debian.org/blends/ch02.html#Blends |archive-date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=2014-05-27 |website=Debian Pure Blends |publisher=Debian}}</ref> For example, Debian Jr. is made for children, while [[Debian Science]] is for researchers and scientists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-30 |title=Debian Jr. Project |url=http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-jr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011024525/http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-jr/ |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=2014-06-16 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> The complete Debian distribution includes all available Debian Pure Blends.<ref name="debian-pure-blends"/> "Debian Blend" (without "Pure") is a term for a Debian-based distribution that strives to become part of mainstream Debian, and have its extra features included in future releases.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Armstrong |first=Ben |title=Re: Difference between blends and remastered systems |mailing-list=debian-blends |date=2011-07-06 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-blends/2011/07/msg00010.html |access-date=2014-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706182017/https://lists.debian.org/debian-blends/2011/07/msg00010.html |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

====Debian GNU/Hurd====

[[File:Debian GNU HURD XFCE desktop screenshot.png|thumb|left|Debian GNU/Hurd running on [[Xfce]]]]

====Debian GNU/kFreeBSD====

Debian GNU/kFreeBSD is a discontinued<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Wiltshire |first=Jonathan |title=Release Team Sprint Results |mailing-list=debian-devel-announce |date=2014-11-09 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2014/11/msg00005.html |access-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221051409/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2014/11/msg00005.html |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Debian flavor. It used the [[FreeBSD]] [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] and [[GNU]] [[User space|userland]]. The majority of software in Debian GNU/kFreeBSD was built from the same sources as Debian, with some kernel packages from [[FreeBSD]]. The ''k'' in ''kFreeBSD'' is an abbreviation for ''kernel'', which refers to the FreeBSD kernel. Before discontinuing the project, Debian maintained i386 and amd64 ports. The last version of Debian kFreeBSD was Debian 8 (Jessie) RC3. Debian GNU/kFreeBSD was created in 2002.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Garrett |first=Matthew |title=Chrooted NetBSD environment available for testing |mailing-list=debian-bsd |date=2002-01-06 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-bsd/2002/01/msg00000.html |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906012153/https://lists.debian.org/debian-bsd/2002/01/msg00000.html |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was included in Debian 6.0 (Squeeze) as a [[technology preview]], and in Debian 7 (Wheezy) as an official port.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} Debian GNU/kFreeBSD was discontinued as an officially supported platform as of Debian 8. Debian developers cited [[Open Sound System|OSS]], [[PF (firewall)|pf]], [[FreeBSD jail|jails]], [[Network Driver Interface Specification|NDIS]], and [[ZFS]] as reasons for being interested in the FreeBSD kernel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-05 |title=Debian_GNU/kFreeBSD_why |url=http://wiki.debian.org/Debian_GNU/kFreeBSD_why |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222164624/https://wiki.debian.org/Debian_GNU/kFreeBSD_why |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=2013-07-05 |website=Debian Wiki}}</ref> It has not been officially updated since Debian 8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Debian GNU/kFreeBSD |url=https://www.debian.org/ports/kfreebsd-gnu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531011403/http://www.debian.org/ports/kfreebsd-gnu/ |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2014 |website=Debian.org}}</ref> However, starting in July 2019, the operating system continued to be maintained unofficially.<ref>{{Cite web |title=debian-bsd Jul 2019 by thread |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-bsd/2019/07/threads.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731204052/https://lists.debian.org/debian-bsd/2019/07/threads.html |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |access-date=2019-07-31 |website=lists.debian.org}}</ref> As of July 2023, the development of Debian GNU/kFreeBSD has officially terminated due to the lack of interest and developers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2023 |title=Debian official announcement |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2023/07/msg00176.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927064527/https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2023/07/msg00176.html |archive-date=27 September 2023 |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref>

* [[Mobian]]

{{Reflist}}

* {{Cite book |last=Coleman |first=E. Gabriella |year=2013 |url=https://archive.org/details/codingf_col_2013_00_9193 |title=Coding Freedom: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Hacking |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-14461-0 |url-access=registration}}

* {{Cite book |last=Hertzog |first=Raphaël |year=2013 |url=https://debian-handbook.info/browse/stable/sect.release-lifecycle.html |title=The Debian Administrator's Handbook |publisher=Freexian |isbn=979-10-91414-03-6 |access-date=2014-06-22}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website}}

* {{DistroWatch|debian|Debian}}

[[Category:ARM Linux distributions]]

[[Category:Free software culture and documents]]

[[Category:Operating system distributions bootable from read-only media]]

[[Category:Power ISA Linux distributions]]

[[Category:PowerPC Linux distributions]]

[[Category:X86-64 Linux distributions]]