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Debian vs Fedora: What are the differences?
Differences Between Debian and Fedora
Debian and Fedora are two popular Linux distributions, each with its own set of features and characteristics. Here are six key differences between the two:
Package Management System: One significant difference between Debian and Fedora is their package management systems. Debian uses the Advanced Package Tool (APT), while Fedora utilizes the Yellowdog Updater, Modified (yum) package management system. APT is known for its robustness and extensive package availability, while yum focuses more on fast and reliable package installation.
Release Frequency and Stability: Debian and Fedora also differ in terms of their release frequency and stability. Debian tends to have longer release cycles, focusing more on stability and long-term support. On the other hand, Fedora has a more frequent release cycle, providing users with the latest features and updates but with slightly less stability.
Community Involvement: Both Debian and Fedora have active communities, but their involvement and governance structures differ. Debian has a highly decentralized community-driven approach, with various development teams and democratic decision-making processes. In contrast, Fedora's development is closely tied to the Red Hat company, with a more centralized decision-making structure.
Default Software Selection: Another difference lies in the default software selection of the distributions. Debian mainly includes free and open-source software, focusing on stability and security. In comparison, Fedora embraces a broader range of open-source software, including bleeding-edge technologies, to provide a more cutting-edge experience for users.
Purpose and Target Audience: Debian and Fedora also have different target audiences and purposes. Debian is known as a versatile and adaptable distribution suitable for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced users. Fedora, being the community-based testing ground for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), caters more to developers, enthusiasts, and those interested in bleeding-edge technologies.
Supported Architectures: The two distributions also differ in terms of the architectures they support. Debian is well-known for supporting a wide range of architectures, including x86, ARM, PowerPC, and more. Fedora, while also offering a fair number of architectures, has a narrower focus on x86_64 and ARM.
In summary, Debian and Fedora differ in their package management systems, release frequency and stability, community involvement, default software selection, purpose and target audience, and supported architectures. These distinctions make each distribution suitable for different use cases and user preferences.
Coming from a Debian-based Linux background, using the Ubuntu base image for my Docker containers was a natural choice. However, the overhead, even on the impressively-slimmed Hub images, was hard to justify. Seeking to create images that were "just right" in size, without unused packages or dependencies, I made the switch to Alpine.
Alpine's modified BusyBox has a surprising amount of functionality, and the package repository contains plenty of muslc-safe versions of commonly-used packages. It's been a valuable exercise in doing more with less, and, as Alpine is keen to point out, an image with fewer packages makes for a more sustainable environment with a smaller attack surface.
My only regret is that Alpine's documentation leaves a lot to be desired.
Pros of Debian
- Massively supported54
- Stable50
- Reliable21
- Aptitude9
- Customizable8
- It is free8
- Turnkey linux use it8
- Works on all architectures6
Pros of Fedora
- Great for developers22
- Great integration with system tools10
- Represents the future of rhel/centos10
- Good release schedule9
- Reliable7
- Fast6
- Docker integration5
- Has SeLinux4
- Latest packages3
- Updated with Bleeding-edge software3
- Great for ops teams3
- Awesome community3
- Python distribution2
- Complies with International Standard2
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Cons of Debian
- Old versions of software10
- Can be difficult to set up on vanilla Debian2
Cons of Fedora
- Bugs get fixed slowly from kernel side3
- Much less support from Wiki2
- Systemd2
- Boring2
- Less packages in official repository1
- A bit complicated1
- Learning curve for new users1
- Slightly difficult to install for beginners0
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What is Debian?
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