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  1. Stackups
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  4. Operating Systems
  5. Debian vs Void Linux

Debian vs Void Linux

OverviewComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Debian
Debian
Stacks16.4K
Followers11.2K
Votes164
Void Linux
Void Linux
Stacks24
Followers29
Votes12

Debian vs Void Linux: What are the differences?

# Key Differences between Debian and Void Linux

Debian and Void Linux are two popular operating systems in the Linux community, each offering distinct features and functionalities. Here are the key differences between Debian and Void Linux:

1. **Package Management**: Debian uses the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) as its primary package management system, while Void Linux utilizes XBPS (X Binary Package System). APT is known for its large repository of packages and robust dependency resolution, whereas XBPS provides a simplified and minimalist approach to package management.

2. **Init System**: Debian traditionally used SysVinit as its default init system, but has now transitioned to systemd. In contrast, Void Linux sticks to runit as its init system, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency. This difference in init systems can impact the overall system boot time and management.

3. **Release Model**: Debian follows a stable, testing, and unstable release model, with detailed quality control procedures for each release. On the other hand, Void Linux follows a rolling release model, offering frequent updates and newer package versions without distinct release versions.

4. **Community and Support**: Debian has a large and active community, extensive documentation, and long-term support (LTS) for its stable releases. Void Linux, although growing, has a smaller community and may have less extensive documentation and support resources.

5. **Default Desktop Environment**: Debian offers a variety of desktop environments to choose from, including GNOME, KDE, and Xfce, but does not have a specific default. Void Linux, on the other hand, uses the lightweight and customizable Xfce desktop environment as its default option.

6. **Initramfs Support**: Debian has built-in support for initramfs, allowing users to easily create and configure an initial RAM file system for the kernel. In contrast, Void Linux requires users to manually set up and configure initramfs if needed, potentially requiring more advanced knowledge from the user.

In Summary, Debian and Void Linux differ in their package management systems, init systems, release models, community support, default desktop environments, and initramfs support.

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Detailed Comparison

Debian
Debian
Void Linux
Void Linux

Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel or the FreeBSD kernel. Linux is a piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. FreeBSD is an operating system including a kernel and other software.

It is a general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux® kernel. Its package system allows you to quickly install, update and remove software; software is provided in binary packages or can be built directly from sources with the help of the XBPS source packages collection.

-
Independent distribution, developed entirely by volunteers; Install once, update daily. Your system will always be up-to-date; runit as the init system and service supervisor; First distribution to switch to LibreSSL by default, replacing OpenSSL
Statistics
Stacks
16.4K
Stacks
24
Followers
11.2K
Followers
29
Votes
164
Votes
12
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 54
    Massively supported
  • 50
    Stable
  • 21
    Reliable
  • 9
    Aptitude
  • 8
    It is free
Cons
  • 10
    Old versions of software
  • 2
    Can be difficult to set up on vanilla Debian
Pros
  • 4
    Lightweight
  • 3
    Musl supporting
  • 2
    Stable
  • 2
    No systemd
  • 1
    Wayland friendly

What are some alternatives to Debian, Void Linux?

Ubuntu

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It also means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux

A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.

Fedora

Fedora

Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that provides users with access to the latest free and open source software, in a stable, secure and easy to manage form. Fedora is the largest of many free software creations of the Fedora Project. Because of its predominance, the word "Fedora" is often used interchangeably to mean both the Fedora Project and the Fedora operating system.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint

The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use.

CentOS

CentOS

The CentOS Project is a community-driven free software effort focused on delivering a robust open source ecosystem. For users, we offer a consistent manageable platform that suits a wide variety of deployments. For open source communities, we offer a solid, predictable base to build upon, along with extensive resources to build, test, release, and maintain their code.

Linux

Linux

A clone of the operating system Unix, written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net. It aims towards POSIX and Single UNIX Specification compliance.

CoreOS

CoreOS

It is designed for security, consistency, and reliability. Instead of installing packages via yum or apt, it uses Linux containers to manage your services at a higher level of abstraction. A single service's code and all dependencies are packaged within a container that can be run on one or many machines.

Gentoo Linux

Gentoo Linux

It is a free operating system based on either Linux or FreeBSD that can be automatically optimized and customized for just about any application or need.

Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox.

Manjaro

Manjaro

It is an accessible, friendly, open-source Linux distribution and community. Based on Arch Linux, it provides all the benefits of cutting-edge software combined with a focus on getting started quickly, automated tools to require less manual intervention, and help readily available when needed.

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