Rolling vs. Fixed release Linux Distros? Which one is Best for You?

You will learn what is the difference between a rolling release Linux distro and a fixed release Linux distro. I will also discuss the pros and cons of Linux distributions that follow a rolling or fixed release model.

Content

• Rolling Vs. Fixed releases
• Fixed release distros
  • Ubuntu
  • Fedora
  • Debian
• Semi-rolling release distros
  • Chakra Linux
• Rolling release distros
  • OpenSUSE
  • Manjaro
  • Arch Linux
• Final thoughts

Rolling Vs. Fixed releases

Every Linux distribution uses a software package manager which installs, updates and removes software packages in your system. In the Linux world, there are three models for shipping software to the user, fixed release, semi-rolling release, and rolling release. In a Linux distro that follows fixed release model, only the security updates are released frequently, new software packages or updates to existing software are held back until a new version of the operating system is released after a fixed period of time. With a Linux distro that follows rolling release model, every package or software of the operating system is constantly updated as soon as the developers release it, whereas in semi-rolling release model only third-party software packages, and security updates are frequently updated. The core of the operating system will be frozen, and only gets updated when a new version of the distro gets released.

Fixed release distros

Fixed release is also sometimes called by names static release, point release or versioned release. The advantage of a fixed release distro is that all the software packages remain at the same version as long as that version of the operating system is under support, so the inter-package compatibility is excellent.

Kernel updates and core software packages are updated only in a major release. Whereas in minor releases, that is between major releases, the security issues are patched and also updates to third-party packages are released. Each release has its own ISO image.

Fixed release Linux distros are great for new users to Linux because everything just works out of the box and no further troubleshooting is required.

Ubuntu

The most popular Linux distro that follows a fixed release model is Ubuntu. A new version of Ubuntu is released every 6 months with the software packages that are latest and stable at the time of releasing. Once the new version is released, only the security updates are released and the software versions will remain the same. This provides a reasonably stable operating system as the software packages are tested before they get released. Every 4 years, Ubuntu also releases an LTS or Long Term Support version which is supported for 10 years, and the software package versions remain the same throughout the 10 years period, providing great reliability for running in servers which operate 24x7 and cannot be upgraded to new versions every 6 months.

Debian

The second popular Linux distribution that follows a fixed release model is Debian, which has three different branches: unstable, testing and stable. The unstable branch of Debian follows a rolling release model which we will discuss in a few seconds, but the testing and stable branches follow a fixed release model. Software in the testing branch is kept under testing thoroughly by different developers and testers for at least 2 years after it is made into the stable branch where it will be supported for 4 more years. Debian is known for its large number of software packages and its rock-solid stability. The testing branch of Debian is a good option for intermediate Linux users who want to just set it and forget. The stable branch will be perfect for servers, production computers, or workstations should be reliable and don’t often require maintenance and troubleshooting.

Fedora

Another distribution that uses a fixed release model is Fedora. Fedora is released twice a year. Fedora usually of of the first Linux ditros that adopt new technologies. This makes Fedora releases vary in quality. Some point releases of Fedora are great, but others may contain obvious bugs which do not get fixed until the next release.

Semi-rolling release distros

Till now we were giving preference to stability, but what if you need only third-party software to be latest and the base system to be stable. A semi-rolling release distro may be the best option for you.

Chakra Linux

Chakra Linux which is forked from Arch Linux is a distro that follows a semi-rolling release model, where all the third-party applications and libraries get frequently updated, but the base packages that make the operating system itself are updated less frequently. There are very few distributions that follow a semi-rolling release model, but distributions like Chakra enjoy the best of both worlds, as applications that the end user-uses gets updated with new features, security patches and bug fixes, though not as frequently as a fully rolling release distro. But if you are a developer, using a semi-rolling release distro can cause some issues with core system libraries and programming languages.

Rolling release distros

If you are a developer or somebody who likes to get updates to the latest and greatest software then rolling release will be a better choice for you. Unlike any fixed release distro, rolling release distros don’t release in versions, so you do not need to re-install the operating system every 6 months or a year. Once you install a rolling release distro you just need to keep updating the packages and you will always have the latest versions for all the software. Also, if there is a bug in a fixed release distro, unless it is a security issue it won’t get fixed until a new version of the operating system comes out. On the other hand, it is accepted that packages may occasionally break because of version compatibility in a distro that follows a rolling release model.

Rolling release distributions like Arch Linux, Manjaro, OpenSUSE are best suited for desktop users rather than running on servers.

OpenSUSE

OpenSUSE is a free version of the SUSE Enterprise Linux that has two versions, the Tumbleweed which follows a rolling release model and Leap which follows a fixed release model. Tumbleweed has a reputation that it is difficult to use or maintain, or should only be used by experts, but my experience indicates that is not true. I think this reputation comes from its history as an unstable distribution.

Manjaro

Manjaro is an Arch Linux based distro but unlike Arch Linux, it holds back all the software packages just for a week or two for testing and then releases to its users. Usually, 90 percent of all the problems that are faced in Arch Linux are solved within that two week frame, so Manjaro is the best rolling release distro in my opinion. Manjaro is also the best distro for gaming if you are planning to switch from Windows to Linux. It also uses a very simple and easy to use installer, where to install Arch Linux one is expected to be good at typing terminal commands.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is by far my favorite distro, it is the most bleeding-edge distro available today with software packages released into its repositories as soon as the developer releases a new version. According to my opinion Arch Linux is the best distro for a programmer and a Linux enthusiast. Everything including the Linux kernel, different compilers and interpreters have the latest versions. And there is no application that is not available in the AUR which is Arch User Repository. Though Arch Linux is the most bleeding-edge distro, it is fairly stable if one follows the Arch way of doing things.

Final thoughts

Hope I have tried to clear the idea of how Linux distributions are released. Not all distributions exactly follow these release cycles and based on the distribution things may change. For any requirement, research and study are always helpful when it comes to choosing a Linux distribution. Simply try the distro in a Virtual machine first, before going with it.