What is Debian?

Debian is a distribution of the open-source Linux operating system. It is primarily composed of free software with over 40,000 pre-compiled software packages.

These packages include Linux, the central core of the system, and other components such as Hurd. All of these are licensed under the General Public License (GPL).

What is the Debian Operating System?

Debian supports different types of processors to some extent. It can also be used on both personal computers and servers. Moreover, it focuses on stability and security. However, it is the basis of many Linux distributions.

History

The Debian project was founded by Ian Murdock on August 16, 1993. Additionally, Murdock, who was a student at Purdue University, led the project. Moreover, the Free Software Foundation’s GNU project sponsored Debian for a year.

Initially, Debian was not a commercial entity. Plus, it was the only Linux distributor open to developers and users. However, the project was organized with a specific structure. As a result, it was the only project with a social contract and policy documents.

Project

The Debian Project is governed by a volunteer organization. It is also shaped by three basic documents:

• Constitution: It defines the formal decision-making process. It also lists the responsibilities of the project leader, secretary, and developers.
• Social Contract: Explains the basic principles that determine how the project is run.
• Debian Software Guidelines: Defines the criteria for free software and what software is included in the distribution.

Leaders

Debian has been led by many leaders since its founding in 1993. According to the updated list, Debian’s leaders are as follows:

• Ian Murdock (August 1993 – March 1996)
• Bruce Perens (April 1996 – December 1997)
• Ian Jackson (January 1998 – December 1998)
• Wichert Akkerman (January 1999 – March 2001)
• Ben Collins (April 2001 – April 2002)
• Bdale Garbee (April 2002 – April 2003)
• Martin Michlmayr (March 2003 – March 2005)
• Branden Robinson (April 2005 – April 2006)
• Anthony Towns (April 2006 – April 2007)
• Sam Hocevar (April 2007 – April 2008)
• Steve McIntyre (April 2008 – April 2010)
• Stefano Zacchiroli (April 2010 – April 2013)
• Lucas Nussbaum (April 2013 – April 2015)
• Neil McGovern (April 2015 – April 2016)
• Mehdi Dogguy (April 2016 – April 2017)
• Chris Lamb (April 2017 – April 2019)
• Sam Hartman (April 2019 – April 2020)
• Jonathan Carter (April 2020 – April 2022)

Repositories

The Debian Project offers three distributions with different features. In addition, each distribution is designed for specific purposes.

• Stable

Contains software that has been rigorously tested. Also, bugs are fixed to increase stability. Only major security or usability updates are added. Moreover, new versions are released every two years, starting from Debian 6.0.

• Test

This version is the preparation phase for the next stable version. Plus, it contains more up-to-date software, but the bug rate is higher. As a result, it is constantly updated until it reaches the “frozen” state for the stable version.

• Unstable

Contains improved packages and is constantly updated. Moreover, it offers the latest software, but it is less reliable in terms of stability. However, there is no official CD/DVD available, as it changes frequently.

Additional Repositories

The Debian Free Software Guidelines strictly interpret open source software. Plus, some packages are removed from the main distribution. However, they are added to the non-free and contributed repositories. As a result, these two repositories are not officially included in Debian GNU/Linux.

• Non-free

Contains packages that do not comply with the Free Software Guidelines.

• Contrib

Contains packages that comply with the Free Software Guidelines but do not meet additional requirements. Plus, some packages may depend on others in the non-free repository.

• Experimental

Contains experimental software packages. Moreover, this repository is not recommended for production systems.

• Backports

Provides newer versions of stable releases. It also aims to provide new software versions without updates. Finally, it has been integrated into the main repository since version 7.0.

• Volatile

Helps system administrators perform updates without unstable releases.

• Oldstable

The previous stable version. Additionally, it is supported for up to one year after a new release.

• Snapshot

Provides repository versions used to install older versions of specific packages.

Debian Package Management

Debian was one of the early package distributions. Moreover, it provides two basic tools for package management.

• Dpkg

It is the foundation of Debian package management. It also allows you to install and remove local .deb packages. However, it can also be used to obtain information about packages.

• APT

It manages dependencies and extends the functionality of dpkg. It also allows you to search and download packages from online repositories. Moreover, you can upgrade packages and fully distribute them to a new version.

Debian Live

Debian Live is a version that can be run without requiring installation. In addition, it can be booted from CD/DVD, USB, or network. Thus, it allows for testing and recovery operations without installing the system.

Desktop Environments

Debian offers a variety of desktop environments with stable and testing versions. Plus, it includes popular options such as GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and LXDE. Plus, other window managers like Enlightenment, Openbox, Fluxbox, GNUstep, IceWM, and Window Maker can also be installed.

System Requirements

When I think of using Debian, the first thing that comes to my mind is the stability and broad support of the system. When we look at today’s system requirements, it is necessary to have a reasonable level of hardware.

First of all, the processor must be at least 1 GHz, whether 64-bit or 32-bit. Debian can adapt to most architectures. But a 64-bit processor is more advantageous for current hardware.

RAM is important. If I am planning to install only a basic system, 512 MB of RAM may be enough, but I recommend at least 2 GB for a smooth experience. Having more memory will allow you to run more complex tasks comfortably.

Storage space should be at least 10 GB for installation. But if you want to install additional software and expand your system, 20 GB or more would be a better choice.

Debian is very flexible in terms of graphics cards; most integrated graphics cards are supported. If you want a more modern interface and smoothness, I recommend choosing a card compatible with Wayland or Xorg.

Network connection is a must. With Ethernet or Wi-Fi, you can make updates and package installations much easier.

You have the option of installing via USB stick, DVD, or network. It is a great advantage to be able to customize Debian according to your needs.

In general, you do not need a mighty system to use Debian. However, you should pay attention to the above requirements for a comfortable experience. If you decide to use it, also see Debian’s official system requirements page to optimize your system.

What are the Versions of Debian OS?

Debian’s release history is awe-inspiring. This journey, which started with its first version, has grown over time and turned into a massive ecosystem with thousands of packages.

Initially, Debian 1.1 consisted of Kernel 2.0 and 474 packages—a small but effective step. The following versions, 1.2 and 1.3, reached 848 and 974 packages, respectively; the number of developers increased rapidly.

Debian 2.0 made a big leap with over 1,500 packages. It came with essential innovations such as libc6 and m68k. APT entered our lives with version 2.1—a system that radically changed package management.

Essential tools such as GDM, OpenLDAP, OpenSSH, and Postfix were added in version 2.2. Version 3.0 introduced KDE with 8,500 packages. Version 3.1 brought major innovations such as Debian-Installer and OpenOffice.

Over time, Debian has matured. UTF-8 support and UDEV device management were introduced in version 4.0. Version 5.0 moved Debian to the ARM EABI (Armel) architecture.

The introduction of Chromium in version 6.0 made Debian compatible with the modern web browser world. Also, kfreebsd-i386 and kfreebsd-amd64 support came. Version 7.0 offered UEFI support, and the system was ported to armhf and IBM ESA/390 (s390x) architectures.

ARM64 and ppc64le support came in version 8.0. Version 9.0 offered a huge ecosystem with more than 51,000 packages.

Version 10.0 came with 57,703 packages, and its most important innovation was UEFI Secure Boot support. Also, Version 11.0 (Bullseye) was released on August 14, 2021, making Wayland the default and strengthening hardware support.

Looking ahead, version 12.0 (Bookworm) came with Linux Kernel 6.1 and became even more potent with over 64,000 packages. The 12.10 update fixed bugs and made the system more secure.

Now the next big step is Debian 13 (Trixie). It is in development and expected to be released in 2025. It will shape the future of Debian with better hardware support, a new kernel, and modern packages.
Debian’s growth process is awe-inspiring.

This system, which leads the open source world, becomes more powerful with each release, and we follow this development closely.

Debian Version History

Conclusion

As a result, the Debian operating system is a reliable Linux distribution that adheres to free software principles. It also stands out for its stability and security. Founded in 1993 by Ian Murdock, the project has grown under the guidance of different leaders.

Thus, it has created a strong community supported by voluntary contributions. In addition, it offers a well-structured management model and comprehensive documentation. As a result, Debian is not only a reliable platform but also the basis for many distributions.

The Debian Project has various repositories that meet different user needs. In particular, the Stable version has been rigorously tested. The Unstable version offers the latest technologies. Also, package management is facilitated thanks to tools such as dpkg and APT.

Debian Live allows users to try the operating system without installing it. In general, Debian reflects the collaborative spirit of the open source community. As a result, it is an ideal choice for those looking for a secure and stable computing environment.