Lately I’ve been exploring FreeBSD and OpenBSD. One of the more interesting things about them is how they handle OS and package upgrades.

On FreeBSD, the freebsd-update command is used for upgrading the OS and the pkg command is used for managing user packages. On OpenBSD, the syspatch command is used for upgrading the OS and the pkg_* commands are used for managing user packages.

Unlike Linux, these BSDs have a clear separation of OS from these packages. OS files and data are stored in places like /bin and /etc, while user installed packages get installed to /usr/local/bin and /usr/local/etc.

On the Linux side, the closest thing I can think of is using an atomic distro and flatpak, homebrew, containers, and/or snap for user package management. However, it’s not always viable to use these formats. Flatpak, snap, and containers have sandbox issues that prevent certain functionality; homebrew is not sandboxed but on Linux its limited to CLI programs.

There’s work being done to work around such issues, such as systemd sysext. But I’m starting to feel that this is just increasing complexity rather than addressing root problems. I feel like taking inspiration from the BSDs could be beneficial.

  • Leaflet@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    11·
    3 hours ago

    You’re just adding arguments on arguments that aren’t making any sense now. You’re original comment and understanding has been addressed.

    My main point is that I’m worried about additional complexity. On most atomic distros, you’re not supposed to touch the base system, so various tools are preinstalled or available: flatpak, podman, homebrew, snap, appimages, systemd sysext.

    The BSDs seem to enjoy a separation of OS and user packages with reduced complexity. Though their task is easier since they are complete operating systems, whereas linux is just a kernel and many different projects put together, and many different groups putting out their own distros with varying packages and compatibility.

    Both RPM and dpkg support being able to unpackaged or install packages into your local home directory

    These don’t seem to be advertised features. More like hacky workarounds. Complex rpm commands. Ubuntu thread with various proposed solutions.

    It would be really cool if dnf and apt got good, easy, simple support for installing packages into the home folder. But that’s not what’s happening. The proposed solution seems to be systemd sysext, which again, prompted me to have worries about complexities about how software is being managed on more “modern” distributions.

    You’re just adding arguments on arguments that aren’t making any sense now. You’re original comment and understanding has been addressed

    And I keep discussing it because I enjoy doing so.