UbuntuForDebianDevelopers
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| == Why is Ubuntu worth watching ? == * Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/relationship doesn't try to hide its Debian roots]. * Ubuntu wants to contribute back to Debian (even if the process needs improving - see below) * Ubuntu has brought new users to GNU/Linux. Some day, those new users might become Free Software developers or advocates. * While Debian is the prefect distribution for some usages, Ubuntu fits nicely on other systems (laptops, or end-users desktops). |
== Is Ubuntu worth watching ? == * Ubuntu doesn't try to hide its [http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/relationship Debian roots]. * Ubuntu wants to contribute back to Debian (''this process needs improving - see below'') * Ubuntu has brought new users to GNU/Linux. Some day, those new users might become Free Software developers, advocates or DD's. * Debian is the perfect distribution for some usages and Ubuntu fits nicely on other systems (laptops, or end-users desktops). |
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| Debian has 3 sections : ''main'', ''contrib'', and ''non-free''. Ubuntu, on the other hand, has four of them : ''main'', ''restricted'', ''universe'' and ''multiverse''. While ''main'' packages (and their non-free counterparts ''restricted'' packages) are maintained and fully supported by the Ubuntu team, ''Universe'' is a section of the Ubuntu archive which isn't officially supported. ''Universe'' aims at providing as many packages as possible, from different sources (Debian, of course, but also [http://www.apt-get.org/ apt-get.org], [http://revu.tauware.de/ REVU] and other sources). | |
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| The MOTUs (Master of the Universe) are a bunch of volunteers taking care of Universe : they sync (import without modification) and merge (import and modify) packages in Ubuntu, deal with bugs, etc. | Ubuntu has four components (like Debian's ''main'', ''contrib'' and ''non-free''). Most packages are pulled straight from Debian, but other sources include [http://www.apt-get.org/ apt-get.org], [http://revu.tauware.de/ REVU] and directly from organisations such as Blackdown and WineHQ. |
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| Read [http://ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/components ubuntu/components] for more info about Ubuntu's components, and ["MOTU"] for more info about MOTUs. | Source packages in Ubuntu components as of 2006-01-18: || || '''Free software''' || '''non-free software''' || || '''Offically supported core''' || main (2297) || restricted (5) || || '''Everything Else (unsupported)''' || universe (8363) || multiverse (364) || |
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| == What kind of divergence is introduced inside Ubuntu ? Why does Ubuntu need to change my packages ? Are those changes important ? == | The Ubuntu Foundation (through Canonical) funds enough developers to make sure that ''main'' and ''restricted'' are looked after. Volunteers called The Masters of the Universe (["MOTU"]) look after the companion ''universe'' and ''multiverse'' components. MOTUs sync (import without modification) or merge (import with Ubuntu-specific changes) packages from Debian. MOTUs handle bugs reported on software inside ''universe'' and ''multiverse''. |
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| Ubuntu sometimes needs to modify Universe packages so that they will build and work on an Ubuntu system. This is usually due to a library transition that Ubuntu has undergone first, change of the default Python version (Ubuntu uses Python 2.4 by default), dependancies changed because of a different X.org packaging, etc. In other cases, it is because an Ubuntu user has found a bug (in either the program or the packaging) before someone filed one in the Debian BTS. 99% of the changes to packages in Universe are small and unobtrusive, but there are of course exceptions. | * ''See also: [http://ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/components ubuntu/components] and ["MOTU"].'' |
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| Packages in the ''main'' section of Ubuntu, are often more heavily modified to suit Ubuntu's needs. Backporting Ubuntu changes to Debian is therefore a difficult process for them. | == What kind of divergence is introduced inside Ubuntu? Why does Ubuntu need to change my packages? Are those changes important ? == Ubuntu can undertake major transitions before Debian. ''Universe'' packages may need to be modified to build in a current Ubuntu environment because of: * C++ ABI (change to -c2 packages---testbed for Debian) * Modular X.org * GCC 4.0 * Python 2.4 * Very latest GNOME and KDE * Other library transitions Modifications also include fixes to minor bugs reported in Ubuntu before they are raised in Debian BTS. Packages in the ''main'' section of Ubuntu are frequently modified to suit Ubuntu's needs. Backporting Ubuntu changes to Debian is therefore a harder and more difficult process for the core Ubuntu ''main'' developers. |
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| Probably not well enough, and we are aware of that. For many packages in ''main'', we have good working relationships with the Debian maintainers and are ourselves involved in the Debian development. Also, Canonical employs 20 DDs (more than any other organisation) to help changes go directly back to Debian. There are also more and more volunteers active in both Debian and Ubuntu development. | Not well enough ...and Ubuntu is aware of that. For many packages in ''main'', Ubuntu has good working relationships with the Debian maintainer(s) and is involved with the core Debian development. Many volunteer developers are active in both Debian and Ubuntu camps. Canonical employs many Debian developers (currently 20), which should help changes flow directly back to Debian. |
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| For ''universe'' and some ''main'' packages, it's a quite different story. Apart from [http://people.ubuntu.com/~scott/patches/ publishing patches on an ongoing basis] (patches which might not be very usable from the DD point of view), Ubuntu doesn't provide much valuable feedback. There are several reasons for this : * '''Lack of manpower''' : There are 8400 source packages in universe, and only [https://launchpad.net/people/motu about official 35 MOTUs] (some of them inactive) and a few outsiders. * '''Lack of tools''' : We currently lack most of the tools to take care of the packages in a global way. * '''Lack of consensus about the way Debian want our patches''' * '''Lack of response from some Debian maintainers''' : when Ubuntu changes are integrated by Debian, it makes the life of MOTUs much easier. However, some bugs have been opened months ago in the BTS, but are ignored from the Debian maintainer. |
For ''universe'' (and some ''main'' packages), there is a massive possibility for improvement. Apart from [http://people.ubuntu.com/~scott/patches/ publishing patches on an ongoing basis] (patches which might not be very usable from the DD point of view), Ubuntu doesn't provide much valuable feedback. There are several reasons for this : * '''Lack of manpower''' : ~8400 source packages in ''universe'', split amongst [https://launchpad.net/people/motu ~35 MOTUs] and a few outsiders. * '''Lack of tools''' : Ubuntu currently lacks most of the tools to take care of the packages in a global way. * '''Lack of consensus about how Debian want Ubuntu's patches''' * '''Lack of response from some Debian maintainers''' : when Ubuntu changes are integrated by Debian, it makes the life of MOTUs much easier. However, some bugs have been opened months ago in the BTS, but are ignored from the Debian maintainer; this must then be maintained separately. |
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| There are plans to change that by improving processes and writing tools, but this takes time. | There are of course plans to change that by improving processes and writing tools, but this takes time. |
Is Ubuntu worth watching ?
Ubuntu doesn't try to hide its [http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/relationship Debian roots].
Ubuntu wants to contribute back to Debian (this process needs improving - see below)
- Ubuntu has brought new users to GNU/Linux. Some day, those new users might become Free Software developers, advocates or DD's.
- Debian is the perfect distribution for some usages and Ubuntu fits nicely on other systems (laptops, or end-users desktops).
What is Universe ? And MOTU ?
Ubuntu has four components (like Debian's main, contrib and non-free). Most packages are pulled straight from Debian, but other sources include [http://www.apt-get.org/ apt-get.org], [http://revu.tauware.de/ REVU] and directly from organisations such as Blackdown and WineHQ.
Source packages in Ubuntu components as of 2006-01-18:
|
Free software |
non-free software |
Offically supported core |
main (2297) |
restricted (5) |
Everything Else (unsupported) |
universe (8363) |
multiverse (364) |
The Ubuntu Foundation (through Canonical) funds enough developers to make sure that main and restricted are looked after. Volunteers called The Masters of the Universe (["MOTU"]) look after the companion universe and multiverse components. MOTUs sync (import without modification) or merge (import with Ubuntu-specific changes) packages from Debian. MOTUs handle bugs reported on software inside universe and multiverse.
See also: [http://ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/components ubuntu/components] and ["MOTU"].
What kind of divergence is introduced inside Ubuntu? Why does Ubuntu need to change my packages? Are those changes important ?
Ubuntu can undertake major transitions before Debian. Universe packages may need to be modified to build in a current Ubuntu environment because of:
- C++ ABI (change to -c2 packages---testbed for Debian)
- Modular X.org
- GCC 4.0
- Python 2.4
- Very latest GNOME and KDE
- Other library transitions
Modifications also include fixes to minor bugs reported in Ubuntu before they are raised in Debian BTS.
Packages in the main section of Ubuntu are frequently modified to suit Ubuntu's needs. Backporting Ubuntu changes to Debian is therefore a harder and more difficult process for the core Ubuntu main developers.
How does Ubuntu give back to Debian ?
Not well enough ...and Ubuntu is aware of that. For many packages in main, Ubuntu has good working relationships with the Debian maintainer(s) and is involved with the core Debian development. Many volunteer developers are active in both Debian and Ubuntu camps. Canonical employs many Debian developers (currently 20), which should help changes flow directly back to Debian.
For universe (and some main packages), there is a massive possibility for improvement. Apart from [http://people.ubuntu.com/~scott/patches/ publishing patches on an ongoing basis] (patches which might not be very usable from the DD point of view), Ubuntu doesn't provide much valuable feedback. There are several reasons for this :
Lack of manpower : ~8400 source packages in universe, split amongst [https://launchpad.net/people/motu ~35 MOTUs] and a few outsiders.
Lack of tools : Ubuntu currently lacks most of the tools to take care of the packages in a global way.
Lack of consensus about how Debian want Ubuntu's patches
Lack of response from some Debian maintainers : when Ubuntu changes are integrated by Debian, it makes the life of MOTUs much easier. However, some bugs have been opened months ago in the BTS, but are ignored from the Debian maintainer; this must then be maintained separately.
There are of course plans to change that by improving processes and writing tools, but this takes time.
Short crash course in Ubuntu development
Most of the documentation about Ubuntu and Ubuntu development can be found on [:FrontPage: this wiki (first page)]
Ubuntu's Bug Tracking System is [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+bugs-advanced Malone]
- All packages are team-maintained. If you need to discuss a specific change, try poking the last person who changed the package (see the changelog).
For more information about Debian collaboration in Ubuntu, see DebianCollaboration.
UbuntuForDebianDevelopers (last edited 2008-09-22 11:48:26 by 82-69-40-219)