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Can someone please explain what a rolling release is? Is it just a distribution that keeps it software up to date or is it more then that? Thanks Dan...
  1. 07-12-2009 #1
    metalf8801
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    What is a rolling release distribution?

    Can someone please explain what a rolling release is? Is it just a distribution that keeps it software up to date or is it more then that?

    Thanks
    Dan
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  2. 07-12-2009 #2
    oz
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    I run Arch and it's a rolling release distro. With a rolling release, there aren't different repositories for different releases. The main Arch repos contain constantly updated software so that as long as you update your system in a routine manner, you will continue to have the latest version of Arch on your system.

    You can read more about rolling release distros here:

    Rolling release - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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  3. 07-12-2009 #3
    MikeTbob
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    A rolling release means that when you install it the first time and keep it updated you will always be using the latest version instead of havng to download a newer version, burn it to disk and install it again. There are several "Rolling Release" distros, Gentoo, CRUX, Arch..probably more too.
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  4. 07-12-2009 #4
    JeffGoldblum
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    I was just sort of wondering about this, also ... I think it was Arch I was looking at, and it was mentioned that it was a rolling release. I didn't understand the exact difference, either, but I had a feeling it was along those lines.
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  5. 07-12-2009 #5
    Jonathan183
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeTbob View Post
    A rolling release means that when you install it the first time and keep it updated you will always be using the latest version instead of havng to download a newer version, burn it to disk and install it again. There are several "Rolling Release" distros, Gentoo, CRUX, Arch..probably more too.
    I thought you had to install Crux when the next version is released ... so did not consider it a rolling release.
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  6. 07-12-2009 #6
    MikeTbob
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan183 View Post
    I thought you had to install Crux when the next version is released ... so did not consider it a rolling release.
    You might be right buddy.....I did not check before posting.
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  7. 07-13-2009 #7
    metalf8801
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    Thank you for your answers that was very helpful
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  8. 07-13-2009 #8
    aluminumspleen
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    I thought you had to install Crux when the next version is released ... so did not consider it a rolling release.
    from what i remember of CRUX, it's somewhere in the middle. it's not rolling release the way arch is, where you are always sync-ing and updating your packages for the latest-and-greatest. however, when a new version comes out, you can "update an existing CRUX installation" (using the words of the installer). i've never tried it personally, but i imagine it would do just that. so, if "rolling release" == "no reinstall", then CRUX is a rolling release, of sorts.
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  9. 07-13-2009 #9
    MikeTbob
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    Quote Originally Posted by aluminumspleen View Post
    from what i remember of CRUX, it's somewhere in the middle. it's not rolling release the way arch is, where you are always sync-ing and updating your packages for the latest-and-greatest. however, when a new version comes out, you can "update an existing CRUX installation" (using the words of the installer). i've never tried it personally, but i imagine it would do just that. so, if "rolling release" == "no reinstall", then CRUX is a rolling release, of sorts.
    If this is true then I agree. It's a "part time wanna be rolling release"!
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