Why do we need both lucid and lucid-updates as repository sources?

[callain]

I have read at:

help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/CommandLine

that we may have lines like these ones in our sources.list file (and I have the same kind of stuff in my file for Ubuntu 10.04 (lucid)):

deb us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy universe
deb-src us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy universe
deb us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates universe
deb-src us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy-updates universe

(I know, URLs (us.archive...) in these lines would need an h t t p protocol prefix, but I can't post a message with URLs in it on this forum yet).

Now, I don't understand why we need both hardy and hardy-updates as distinct distributions. I don't get the idea behind it. To me, just one distribution (hardy) should be enough to get at the latest packages and update our package lists from there? What does the hardy-updates offers that hardy does not offer? I would appreciate to get the concept I am missing here. Thanks.

[zenwalker]

I would appreciate to get the concept I am missing here. Thanks.

The concept you are missing is contained here

[TaZMAniac]

I'm running Lucid and have no references to Hardy in any of my sources list.
Have you been upgrading since Hardy. That may explain the strange Hardy entries in your source list.

As for why the repos are broken into smaller sections?
(I'm sure someone will correct me on this.) LOL!!

First of all the base files are stored in one repo. Then you have your software stored in other repos. The software is then broken into several sections. You have the base software that is fully supported by Ubuntu. Then you have software that is bleeding edge. Not supported by Ubuntu but they make it available. Next are the restricted software repos. Same as bleeding edge. Not supported because of possible violations of local country laws.

You have to remember that Ubuntu as well as Linux is worldwide and some of the stuff may be legal in one country but not in another.
So they break down the repos to not only classify the downloads but it also takes the strain off of using one server for everything then having to mirror the entire contents of that server onto other servers.

Also if a server goes down it will mean that some but not all of your updates will not be downloaded. You will still get a majority of them and be up and running with these updates rather then having to try again later for the full update.

Also remember that unlike Windows and Mac your are updating more then just your O.S. You are updating the libraries and software when it becomes available.
How many Windows users can say that every piece of software they bought, even 2 years ago, is up to date and running the latest version?
Not many if any at all I suspect.

Hope this clears up your question.

[callain]

Ok guys, I will be clearer:

I have this in my sources.list ( I added a space between http and the colon on purpose here so I can post my reply).

deb http ://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted multiverse
deb-src http ://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.
deb http ://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates main restricted multiverse
deb-src http ://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates main restricted

Now, we all know main and restricted are not multiverse, but still, lucid and lucid-updates are both present. What I am asking, is why the Ubuntu guys want to maintain 2 repos (lucid and lucid-updates) instead of just one (lucid). If it is just because they wanted to have the 10.04LTS pure version under lucid distro and all updates in lucid-update, that is fine, but maybe I don't understand that this may be a requirement by design or something like that instead of a simple choice they made.

Thanks in advance.

[TaZMAniac]

The official Ubuntu page about their repositories can be found here;
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu

But I prefer this blog post that describes how the repos are set up in easy to understand plain English language answers;

Understanding the Ubuntu package repositories | Be the signal

And finally you can explore the repo's and see what is found in each repo.
Lots and lots of files to wade through. Can boggle your mind!
Ubuntu -- Ubuntu Packages Search