Linux 黑话解释：什么是滚动发行版？
滚动发行版
在了解了[什么是 Linux](https://itsfoss.com/what-is-linux/)、[什么是 Linux 发行版](/article-12609-1.html)之后，当你开始使用 Linux 时，你可能会在 Linux 论坛的讨论中遇到“<ruby> 滚动发布 <rt>  rolling release </rt></ruby>”这个名词。


在这篇 Linux 黑话解释文章中，你将了解到 Linux 发行版的滚动发布模式。


### 什么是滚动发布？


在软件开发中，滚动发布是一种模式，在这种模式下，软件的更新是连续推出的，而不是分批的版本。这样软件就能始终保持更新。<ruby> 滚动发行版 <rt>  rolling release distribution </rt></ruby>遵循同样的模式，它提供最新的 Linux 内核和软件版本，在它们一发布就提供。


[Arch Linux](https://www.archlinux.org/) 是滚动发行版中最流行的例子，然而 [Gentoo](https://www.gentoo.org/) 是最古老的滚动发行版，目前仍在开发中。


当你使用一个滚动发行版时，你会得到小而频繁的更新。这里没有像 Ubuntu 那样的重大 XYZ 版本发布。你会定期[更新 Arch](https://itsfoss.com/update-arch-linux/)或其他滚动发行版，你将永远拥有最新版本的发行版。


滚动发布也是以测试为代价的。当最新的更新开始给你的系统带来问题时，你也许会受到“惊吓”。


### 对比滚动式发布与点版本式发布的发行版


![](/data/attachment/album/202009/21/225947gs1znon1zhcln2ji.png)


许多 Linux 发行版，如 Debian、Ubuntu、Linux Mint、Fedora 等都遵循<ruby> 点版本 <rt>  point release </rt></ruby>模式。他们每隔几个月/年就会发布一个主要的 XYZ 版本。


点版本由 Linux 内核、桌面环境和其他软件的新版本组成。


当一个新的点版本发行版的主要版本发布时，你必须[专门来升级你的系统](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-ubuntu-version/)。


相反，在滚动发行版中，当它从开发者那里发布时，你会不断地获得新的功能更新。这样，你不需要在几个月或几年后进行版本升级。你总是拥有最新的东西。


**哦，但我的 Ubuntu 也会定期更新，几乎每周一次。这是否意味着 Ubuntu 也在滚动发布？**


![](/data/attachment/album/202009/21/230029mlrerz22gw0pk83y.png)


不，Ubuntu 不是滚动发布。你看，你通常从 Ubuntu 得到的更新是安全和维护更新（除了一些软件，比如 Mozilla Firefox），而不是新功能的发布。


例如，GNOME 3.38 已经发布了，但 Ubuntu LTS 20.04 版不会给你 GNOME 3.38。它将坚持使用 3.36 版本。如果 GNOME 3.36 有安全或维护更新，你会在 Ubuntu 的更新中得到它。


LibreOffice 版本也是如此。Ubuntu 20.04 LTS 坚持使用 LibreOffice 6.x 系列，而 LibreOffice 7 已经发布了。请记住，我说的是官方软件库中的软件版本。你可以自由地从他们的官方网站上下载一个更新版本的 LibreOffice，或者使用 PPA。但你不会从 Ubuntu 的软件库中得到它。


当 Ubuntu 发布下一个版本 Ubuntu 20.10 时，你会得到 LibreOffice 7 和 GNOME 3.38。


**为什么一些滚动发行版有“版本号”和发行版名称？**


![](/data/attachment/album/202009/21/225900tgz5q0g9pwggfr2q.png)


这是一个合理的问题。Arch Linux 是滚动发布的，它总是让你的系统保持更新，然而你会看到像 Arch Linux 2020.9.01 这样的版本号。


现在想象一下，你在 2018 年安装了 Arch Linux。你定期更新你的 Arch Linux 系统，所以你在 2020 年 9 月拥有所有最新的内核和软件。


但是，如果你决定在 2020 年 9 月在一个新系统上安装 Arch Linux 会发生什么？如果你使用 2018 年使用的相同的安装介质，你将不得不安装过去两年或更长时间内发布的所有系统更新。这很不方便，不是吗？


这就是为什么 Arch Linux（和其他滚动发行版）每个月或每隔几个月都会提供一个新的 ISO（操作系统安装程序镜像文件），其中包含所有最新的软件。**这就是所谓的 ISO 刷新**。这样一来，新用户就会得到一个更新的 Linux 发行版。


如果你已经在使用滚动发行版，你就不用担心新的 ISO 刷新了。你的系统已经和它对等了。ISO 刷新对那些要在新系统上安装它的人是有帮助的。


### 滚动式发布的利与弊


滚动发布模式的好处是，你可以得到小而频繁的更新。你总是可以从你的发行版的仓库中获得最新的内核和最新的软件版本。


然而，这也可能带来新软件不可预见的问题。点版本发行版通常会对系统中集成的基本组件进行测试，以避免带来令人不便的错误。而在滚动发行版中，情况就不一样了，在滚动发行版中，软件一经开发者发布就会被推出。


### 你应该使用滚动发行版还是点版本发行版？


![](/data/attachment/album/202009/21/225902p15sm1s5cz8m1n5c.png)


这取决于你。如果你是一个新的 Linux 用户，或者如果你不习惯于排除你的 Linux 系统的故障，请坚持使用你选择的点版本发行版。这也建议用于你的生产和关键任务的机器，在这里你会想要一个稳定的系统。


如果你想要最新的和最棒的 Linux 内核和软件，并且你不害怕花费一些时间在故障排除上（时常发生），你可以选择滚动发行版。


在这一点上，我还想提到 Manjaro Linux 的混合滚动发布模式。Manjaro 确实遵循滚动发布模式，你不必将系统升级到较新的版本。不过，Manjaro 也会对基本的软件组件进行测试，而不是盲目的向用户推出。这也是[为什么这么多人使用 Manjrao Linux](https://itsfoss.com/why-use-manjaro-linux/) 的原因之一。


### 我讲清楚了吗？


希望你现在对“滚动发行版”这个词有了稍微的了解。如果你对它仍有一些疑问，请留言，我会尽力回答。我可能会更新文章以涵盖你的问题。祝你愉快 :smiley:




---


via: <https://itsfoss.com/rolling-release/>


作者：[Abhishek Prakash](https://itsfoss.com/author/abhishek/) 选题：[lujun9972](https://github.com/lujun9972) 译者：[wxy](https://github.com/wxy) 校对：[wxy](https://github.com/wxy)


本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译，[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出


OK
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![Warp Terminal](/assets/images/warp-terminal.webp)

After understanding [what Linux is](https://itsfoss.com/what-is-linux/), [what a Linux distribution is](https://itsfoss.com/what-is-linux-distribution/), when you start using Linux, you might come across the term “rolling release” in Linux forum discussions.

In this Linux jargon buster, you’ll learn about the rolling release model of Linux distributions.

## What is a rolling release distribution?

In software development, rolling release is a model in which updates to a software are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions. This way the software always remains up to date. A rolling release distribution follows the same model and it provides the latest Linux kernel and the software version as they are released.

[Arch Linux](https://www.archlinux.org/) is the most popular example of a rolling release distribution however [Gentoo](https://www.gentoo.org/) is the oldest rolling release distribution still in development.

When you use a rolling release distribution, you get small but frequent updates. There are no major XYZ version releases, as with Ubuntu. If you regularly [update Arch](https://itsfoss.com/update-arch-linux/) or the other rolling release distributions, you’ll always have the latest version of your distribution.

The rolling release also comes at the cost of testing. You may have surprises when the latest update starts creating problem for your system.

## Rolling release vs point release distributions

![What Is Rolling Release Distribution](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/09/what-is-rolling-release-distribution.png)

Many Linux distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora, follow the point release model. They will release a major XYZ version after every few months/years.

The point release consists of new versions of the Linux kernel, desktop environments and other software.

When a new major version of a point release distribution is released, you’ll have to make [special effort to upgrade your system](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-ubuntu-version/). You need to make backup, the third-party repositories are disabled and it takes around an hour to complete the upgrade.

On the other hand, you keep getting new features updates in a rolling release distribution as it gets released from the developers. This way, you don’t need to do a version upgrade after some months or years. You always have the latest stuff.

### Oh, but my Ubuntu also gets regular updates, almost on a weekly basis. Does it mean Ubuntu is also rolling release?

![Updates Available Ubuntu](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/04/updates-available-ubuntu.png)

No. Ubuntu is not a rolling release. You see, the updates you usually get from Ubuntu are security and maintenance updates, except for some software such as Mozilla Firefox, not new feature release.

For example, GNOME 3.38 has been released but Ubuntu LTS release 20.04 won’t give you GNOME 3.38. It will stick to the 3.36 version. If there are security or maintenance updates to GNOME 3.36, you’ll get them with your Ubuntu updates.

The same goes for the LibreOffice release. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS sticks with LibreOffice 6.x series whereas LibreOffice 7 is already out. Keep in mind that I am talking about software versions available in the official repositories. You are free to download a newer version of LibreOffice from their official website or use a PPA. But you won’t get it from Ubuntu’s repositories.

When Ubuntu releases the next version Ubuntu 20.10, you’ll get LibreOffice 7 and GNOME 3.38.

### Why do some rolling release distributions have ‘version number’ and release names?

![Arch Linux Iso Refresh](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/09/arch-linux-iso-refresh.png)

That’s a fair question. Arch Linux is a rolling release, which always keeps your system updated and yet you’ll see something like Arch Linux 2020.9.01 version number.

Now imagine you installed Arch Linux in 2018. You regularly update your Arch Linux system, so you have the latest kernel and all the latest software in September 2020.

But what happens if you decide to install Arch Linux in September 2020 on a new system? If you use the same installation medium you used in 2018, you’ll have to install all the system updates released in the last two years or more. That’s inconvenient, isn’t it?

This is why Arch Linux and other rolling release distributions provide a new ISO (OS installer image file) with all the latest software every month or every few months. **This is called ISO refresh**. Thus, new users get a more recent copy of the Linux distribution.

If you are already using a rolling release distribution, you don’t to worry about the new refreshed ISO. Your system is already at par with it. The ISO refresh is helpful to people who are going to install it on a new system.

## Pros and cons of rolling release distributions

The benefit of the rolling release model is that you get small but more frequent updates. You always have the latest kernel and the latest software releases available from your distribution’s repositories.

However, this could also bring unforeseen problems with the new software. Point release usually test essential components for system integration to avoid inconvenient bugs. This is not the case in rolling release distribution, as the software is rolled out as soon it is released by their developers.

## Should you use rolling release or point release distribution?

![Rolling Vs Point Release Distribution](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2020/09/rolling-vs-point-release-distribution.png)

That’s up to you. If you are a new Linux user or if you are not comfortable troubleshooting your Linux system, stick with a point release distribution of your choice. This is also recommended for your production and mission-critical machines. For them, you are better off with a stable system.

If you want the latest and greatest Linux kernel and software and you are not afraid of spending some time in troubleshooting (it happens from time to time) then you may choose a rolling release distribution.

At this point, I would also like to mention the hybrid rolling releasing model of Manjaro Linux. Manjaro does follow a rolling release model, in which you don’t have to upgrade your system to a newer version. However, Manjaro also performs testing of the essential software components instead of just blindly rolling it out to the users. This is one of the[ reasons why so many people use Manjrao Linux](https://itsfoss.com/why-use-manjaro-linux/).

**Was it clear enough?**

I hope you have a slightly better understanding of the term “rolling release distribution” now. If you still have some doubts around it, please leave a comment and I’ll try to answer. I might update the article to cover your questions. Enjoy :)