[sf-lug] Debian - don't mix ...

[Michael Paoli]

> From: aaronco36 <aaronco36 at SDF.ORG>
> Subject: Re: [sf-lug] Debian 10 out on ...
> Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2019 23:48:22 +0000 (UTC)

> FYI, for the very few who may not realize this, one can update one's  
> 10.0.0 Buster stable machine following the original installation by  
> performing the /etc/apt/sources.list archive edits as more fully  
> described in [12] Slightly more advanced Debian users may also  
> eventually decide to rather have a mixed partial Buster-stable and  
> partial Bullseye-testing [13] system, so these users may then wish  
> to follow the steps at [14] for Apt-Pinning of both Buster and  
> Bullseye entries in the /etc/apt files -- this Apt-Pinning guide for  
> Beginners brught courtesy of Rik M within his useful Debian FAQ  
> webpage [15].

Actually, one should not mix stable, testing, and/or unstable,
or (in Debian terminology) "distributions"[1] (or sometimes also referred to
as releases) within Debian, lest one create a FrankenDebian[2].

If one needs newer than stable, one can add backports, or one
can upgrade to testing, or unstable.  One can also upgrade to the
relevant codename - in sequence.  But going backwards or "downgrading"
is not supported (though sometimes it happens to work, but all bets are
off and it's not supported).  One can also add experimental[3] ... probably
most fittingly to sid/unstable.

Also, from the excellent source[4][15]:
"adding testing/unstable to a stable system, which is a bad idea"

1. https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/ch-ftparchives#s-dists
2. https://wiki.debian.org/DontBreakDebian#Don.27t_make_a_FrankenDebian
3. https://wiki.debian.org/DebianExperimental
4. http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Debian/

> ===============================
> References
> ===============================
> [12]https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02#_debian_archive_basics
> [13]https://www.debian.org/releases/bullseye/
> [14]http://jaqque.sbih.org/kplug/apt-pinning.html
> [15]http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Debian/