What are the differences between Ubuntu and Debian?

Ubuntu and Debian are the two most influential Linux distributions in history. Of about 285 active releases, 132 are from Debian (including Ubuntu itself), and 67 are directly from Ubuntu. However, the experience of using these two releases is almost different in every aspect. Therefore, it is not easy to make a choice between Ubuntu and Debian. If you want to explain the difference between Ubuntu and Debian, most of them will answer:

Ubuntu and Debian are the two most influential Linux distributions in history. Of about 285 active releases, 132 are from Debian (including Ubuntu itself), and 67 are directly from Ubuntu. However, the experience of using these two releases is almost different in every aspect. Therefore, it is not easy to make a choice between Ubuntu and Debian.

If you want to explain the differences between Ubuntu and Debian, most people will answer the following question: Ubuntu is a new release version, and Debian is an expert release version. Such a description is partially correct, but it is exaggerated at the same time. Debian's reputation has been established more than 10 years ago. Today, each user can choose from many practical control features.

Similarly, Ubuntu is very easy to use. If your work habits are inconsistent with these concepts, you may strongly disagree with Ubuntu's ease of use.

However, although Ubuntu originated from Debian, the difference between the two is quite obvious. From installation and desktop to package management and community, you may think that your understanding of Ubuntu and Debian may be incorrect, or at least some strict restrictions are required-all of which makes it very difficult to choose which release is suitable for your company's business strategy.

 

Differences in Installation

Which release you can use depends on the hardware you have. Debian currently targets around 13 hardware architectures: from Standard 32-bit and 64-bit intel architectures to ARM and PowerPC architectures, it also supports two other architectures under development. In contrast, Ubuntu supports 32-bit and 64-bit desktop environments, and is currently developing Ubuntu ARM for mobile devices.

Another aspect to consider is the installation program for each release. The Ubuntu standard installer is designed to require as little user input as possible to ensure that the installation is simple and as fast as possible. If you have any problems, try the professional installation program, which is a slightly changed version of the Debian installation program.

The Debian installer clearly has other priorities. For example, its graphical version is GUI, which is different from text-based installation programs mainly in the Toolkit: there is no advantage in addition to reassuring users who are afraid of using command lines.

In contrast, Debian has a reputation that Debian can be installed as long as you follow the online operation instructions and accept the default settings for each stage. However, if you decide to select it yourself, you can select each setting in each step of the installation process, which greatly increases the installation time. The Debian installer does not cater to inexperienced users, but takes into account all users of different levels. It is not very beautiful, but you do not need to compile your own package, so you cannot find a more flexible installer.

 

Differences between management and package management

Both Debian and Ubuntu encourage the use of root accounts for management and the use of restricted accounts for daily computing, which is not surprising. However, the selected security mode is different.

In Debian, users usually log on directly to the root account to perform management tasks, and then log off again as soon as possible to shorten the security risk period. However, Ubuntu hides the root password. Instead of using sudo, it allows at least one user to enter his or her own password to issue management commands.

Debian packages are mainly divided into three categories: test version, stable version, and unstable version. The new package enters the stable version and is converted into a beta version after debugging. After the official version is ready, the existing package in the beta version will undergo further checks and finally become a new stable version.

In recent years, additional packages have been added officially or even unofficial, such as Backports, Experimental, Security, Old Stable, and Update. However, users need to focus on three major types of software libraries.

One of the advantages of the Debian system is that you can choose between the two extremes below: extremely stable, but the disadvantage is that the version is older; or very advanced, but the disadvantage is that the software is not stable, major technological changes may crash the system of uninformed users. The selection here depends on whether you are upgrading the core components (such as the Linux kernel) or upgrading the standalone utility that does not affect other built-in code libraries when a disaster occurs.

On the contrary, the Ubuntu package comes from the Debian Beta or unstable version. Ubuntu software libraries are organized according to other standards, rather than by testing status. Main contains the software supported by Canonical and the Universe software supported by the Ubuntu community. Restricted contains proprietary drivers in which Multiverse stores software with copyright or other legal restrictions.

Another major difference is that Debian is more committed to promoting Software Freedom. By default, it only installs free software, and the installer even provides a kernel without a dedicated firmware. If you need non-free software, you need to add the Nonfree and Contrib parts for each software library.

On the contrary, the difference between free and private is not that clear in Ubuntu. Debian does not encourage the use of proprietary software, but allows users to make their own choices. Ubuntu encourages users to install proprietary software, it provides a computing experience comparable to that of other commercial operating systems. If you are willing to give it a try, you can get the same experience On Debian, but Debian clearly shows that you have sacrificed software freedom while doing so.

 

Desktop differences

Ubuntu and Debian use different desktop environments by default. Ubuntu uses Unit by default. In recent years, the enterprise Canonical, which strongly supports Ubuntu, has been developing this desktop. If Canonical is successful in marketing mobile devices, you will be able to use the same desktop on all hardware in the future.

However, those default desktops do not make much sense except convenience. Both Debian and Ubuntu support multiple desktops. In Ubuntu, the desktop is a semi-independent release, including Xubuntu for Xfce and Kubuntu for KDE. The variants and standard Ubuntu adopt the same underlying GNOME technology. It is hard to say whether they can be synchronized with official versions. The time difference is less than a few weeks.

In Debian, the desktop options are roughly the same, but the development desktop team is closely related to the development standard Debian team. The version Schedules change, so it is always expected to take some time to search online. Check the development results to check the current situation of the teams you are interested in.

In addition to Unity, most software written for Ubuntu also has a Debian version. Software written for Debian is almost always available for Ubuntu, because the Ubuntu package comes from the Debian software library. Due to the slow release cycle of Debian, Ubuntu software is usually more novel than Debian software. However, Debian is often more stable and has undergone more comprehensive tests.

Note:Do not take it for granted that the common origins allow the two packages to be compatible with each other, because although many packages can be installed on both Ubuntu and Debian, however, about 20% of Ubuntu packages are highly incompatible with Debian, because the names and file locations are different.

 

Community differences

For developers, the Ubuntu community and Debian community are also factors that need to be considered in their selection. As we all know, Debian often discusses everything in detail, especially controversial topics, and even enters the collective voting stage.

In recent years, Debian seems mature and sophisticated, but the discussion is still sometimes a melee. In the past, Debian was described as an unfriendly environment for women. Recently, the debate on changing init to systemd has become very intense. As a result, several senior developers chose to leave, instead of enduring abuse.

At the same time, Debian pursues an elite democracy, and all official maintainers vote for the Debian leader and all other topics. Although the position to be appointed is sometimes a source of power, the general approach of leadership adopted by Debian staff is to make recommendations and implement democracy, rather than directly issuing orders.

Ubuntu is different from Debian in that it provides code of conduct for community activities. Today, Ubuntu's community administrator is Jono Bacon. He has written a book about "Community path" and has invested a lot of effort to eliminate conflicts. In addition, some members of the Technical Board and Community Council are selected each year.

However, this apparent democracy is not the same as the actual one. Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu, holds a permanent seat on the Management Board and has the right to decide. Mark and its Canonical representatives usually have a veto power over the Community, which has caused user resistance several times in the past.

 

Make the best choice for your company's business strategy

Is it an expert or a newbie? Is it free or private? Is it easy to use or control? Do I need platform support? Should we be advanced or stable? Do you want Unity or GNOME? Do you have to be modest, polite, or speak freely but in a democratic style?

You also noticed that it is more important for you and your company to choose Ubuntu or Debian.

Before you select one of the releases, I strongly recommend that you find out what the two options are like. You may pay more attention to a certain aspect.

However, no matter what decisions you make, you can hardly choose the right one. Despite the differences mentioned above, Ubuntu and Debian are not two leading releases in the Free Software field by chance. The common dominance of Ubuntu and Debian indicates that any one of them is a reasonable choice, as long as you understand your priorities.

For more information about Ubuntu, see Ubuntu special page http://www.linuxidc.com/topicnews.aspx? Tid = 2

This article permanently updates the link address: Http://www.linuxidc.com/Linux/2015-11/124978.htm