Debian Guide

Overview

Debian was founded in 1993 by Ian Murdock, making it one of the earliest Linux distributions still in active development. Its name is a combination of "Debra" (Ian's girlfriend at the time) and "Ian."

Quick Facts

Based On	Independent (upstream)
Package Manager	APT / dpkg
Default Desktop	GNOME (multiple options available)
Release Cycle	Approximately every 2 years
Support Period	5 years (3 years full + 2 years LTS)
Init System	systemd

Who Should Use Debian?

Server administrators - Legendary stability for production environments
Privacy advocates - Strong commitment to free software principles
Developers - Extensive package repository and build tools
Experienced users - More control over system configuration
Organizations - Long-term support and predictable release cycles

Tip

For servers, Debian Stable is an excellent choice. For desktops wanting newer packages, consider Debian Testing or use backports.

Installation

Debian offers multiple installation methods to suit different needs:

Download the installer from debian.org (netinst recommended for most users)
Create a bootable USB drive
Boot from the USB and select "Graphical Install"
Follow the installation wizard
Configure apt sources and install additional packages

bash

# Verify your download
sha256sum debian-12.x.x-amd64-netinst.iso

# Check against the SHA256SUMS file from debian.org

Package Management

Debian uses APT (Advanced Package Tool) with the dpkg backend:

bash

# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Upgrade all packages
sudo apt upgrade

# Full upgrade (may remove packages)
sudo apt full-upgrade

# Install a package
sudo apt install package-name

# Remove a package
sudo apt remove package-name

# Purge a package (remove config files too)
sudo apt purge package-name

# Search for packages
apt search keyword

# List installed packages
dpkg -l

# Install backports (newer packages)
sudo apt install -t bookworm-backports package-name

Info

Debian's repositories are divided into main (free software), contrib (free but depends on non-free), and non-free (proprietary). You can enable additional components in /etc/apt/sources.list.

Key Features

Social Contract

Debian has a Social Contract committing to free software and the community. This ensures Debian will always remain free and open source.

Massive Package Repository

With over 59,000 packages, Debian has one of the largest software repositories of any Linux distribution.

Multi-Architecture Support

Debian officially supports more architectures than any other distribution, including amd64, arm64, armhf, i386, and more.

Release Branches

Debian Branches

Stable	Production-ready, receives security updates only
Testing	Next stable release, newer packages
Unstable (Sid)	Rolling release, newest packages
Oldstable	Previous stable release, still supported
Backports	Newer packages rebuilt for stable

FAQ

Why are Debian packages older than other distributions?

Debian Stable prioritizes stability over novelty. Packages undergo extensive testing before inclusion. For newer packages, use Testing, Unstable, or backports.

What's the difference between Debian and Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is based on Debian but adds its own tools, newer packages, and commercial support. Debian is more conservative and strictly adheres to free software principles.

How do I enable non-free firmware?

Starting with Debian 12 (Bookworm), non-free firmware can be included during installation. Select the firmware-inclusive installer or add non-free-firmware to your sources.

Summary

Debian is a cornerstone of the Linux ecosystem, prioritizing stability, security, and free software. Key takeaways:

Rock-solid stability, especially in the Stable branch
Massive package repository with over 59,000 packages
Foundation for Ubuntu and many other distributions
Multiple branches for different stability/freshness needs
Strong commitment to free software principles