this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2023
6 points (100.0% liked)

Linux

1259 readers
108 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
AgreeableLandscape@lemmy.ml
nooter692@lemmy.ml
MarcellusDrum@lemmy.ml
cypherpunks@lemmy.ml
cyclohexane@lemmy.ml
d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz
6
Help me understand Linux distros updates. (startrek.website)
submitted 1 year ago by jameskirk@startrek.website to c/linux@lemmy.ml
4 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hi I'm relatively new to Linux. There's talk about updating, say from Fedora 37 to 38.

Is this something that needs to happen manually? If I solely update through the updater software, I'm not getting the whole "38"?

I understand that, of course, I won't see updates on the installer or I won't use a new supported partition type unless I install it again.

Apart from that, what's missing? Some software won't be updated? The kernel?

Thank you all!

top 4 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] lotanis@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can update your version of Fedora through the updater software as well but it's a very clear separate process that is initiated manually.

Distro version updates bring major updates to key packages - the one you'd notice most would be to Gnome, the desktop environment. There will be other things too that get only bugfix and security updates during the life of that version, and then after a while that version will lose support and you won't get any updates at all (https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/releases/lifecycle/).

Updating is very safe and reliable. I've had my Fedora install at work for 3 years, updating periodically and it's working extremely well.

[–] cryball@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

To OP: this is a much clearer & better explanation for what I was trying to say.

[–] d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Is this something that needs to happen manually?

Yes, sort of. It needs to be initiated manually, but you should get an update notification, and the actual upgrade itself is automatic once you initiate it. Clicking on the notification will take you to the Software app > Updates section, from where you can do the upgrade.

If I solely update through the updater software, I'm not getting the whole "38"?

No, you will get the whole 38 (what makes you think you won't?). Everything will get updated. The key thing to remember is to update all other applications/kernel etc and restart your system first, before you do the actual OS upgrade. This is documented here: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/quick-docs/upgrading-fedora-new-release/#_upgrading_to_the_next_fedora_workstation_release

Some folks recommend disabling third-party repos before you do the actual upgrade, like copr, RPMFusion etc, but personally I haven't had any issues leaving them enabled - as long as you install all applicable updates and reboot prior to the upgrade, you should be fine.

If you want more control over the process though, you can always upgrade manually using dnf. Although there's not much benefit doing to this via the commandline (except for power users/admins who need the control/visibility), it's worth reading the post-upgrade tasks section to run some cleanup tasks (not a 100% sure if the GUI updater tool does this).