What is Debian OS?
Debian OS, established by Ian Murdock in 1993, is one of the most venerable and well-known Linux distributions. It serves as the foundation for many other Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Mint, and Kali Linux, due to its exceptional stability and security.
The Debian operating system, also known as Debian GNU/Linux, remains one of the most stable Linux distributions available for free.
Debian was first introduced on August 16, 1993, by Ian Murdock. This distribution was created by a community of programmers to provide a non-commercial, freely available operating system.
What Is Debian Linux?
Debian is free, open-source, and user-friendly, based on the Unix system. It features a massive repository of free software maintained by the programming community.
Similar to RHEL, Debian is a parent distribution, and many operating systems such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Kali Linux are based on it. These operating systems are called Debian-based distributions.
Debian distributions are widely used on both servers and desktops. Debian emphasizes stability, and its family provides one of the largest and most comprehensive software repositories in the Linux ecosystem.
One of Debian’s key features is its package management system, which allows administrators to install, update, and manage software efficiently. The core package manager for Debian is dpkg, with higher-level tools such as APT providing additional convenience.
The Debian project is committed to publishing detailed security updates and information about operating system vulnerabilities.
Debian is available in three main channels: Stable, Testing, and Unstable. The Stable channel offers the highest security and lowest bug risk, with regular updates.
The current versions of Debian are:
- Debian 12 (Bookworm) – Stable
- Debian 11 (Bullseye) – Old Stable
- Debian 10 (Buster) – EOL (no longer officially supported)
The Testing and Unstable branches are used for development and feature testing, with Testing (currently Trixie) being a staging ground before packages move to Stable.
History of Debian
On August 16, 1993, Ian Murdock introduced Debian. The goal of this new project was to provide a non-commercial, freely distributed operating system in line with the principles of the GNU and Linux projects.
Many initially thought that the Debian project, started by a group of programmers, might fail. Contrary to expectations, Debian thrived.
Within less than 10 years, it became a widely respected Linux distribution. To date, over 120 distributions have been derived from Debian, and its repositories contain more than 59,000 software packages.
Debian places strong emphasis on free software principles, guided by the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). Non-free packages are clearly separated, allowing users to choose whether to enable them.
Why Is It Called Debian?
The name “Debian” is a combination of the founder’s first name and the name of his then-girlfriend, Debra Lynn (Debra + Ian Murdock).
What Language is Debian written in?
Debian is written in 70 different languages since it is committed to flexibility, stability, and community-driven development.
- Plain C
- Bash and POSIX
- Go (golang)
- Perl
- Python
- Ruby
and more are the languages in which Debian is written.
Since portable programming languages are used to write the majority of the software accessible on Debian, the source code can be compiled for a variety of architectures.
Reasons for Linux Debian Success
- Debian has achieved success due to its high degree of flexibility and open-source nature, which allows users to modify its source code. As a result, over 120 different distributions have been created based on Debian.
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Another key factor is its large and active community of experts and programmers who volunteer to test, troubleshoot, and develop the system.
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Additionally, Debian provides clear and precise guidelines for quality control, testing, and troubleshooting, contributing to a stable and user-friendly operating system environment.
Is Debian good for beginners?
Yes. Debian is considered one of the best Linux distributions for beginners.
It provides an excellent platform for learning, and beginners who choose Debian can benefit from:
- A stable and reliable operating system
- Access to solutions through the active support community
- Easy software installation and management via its package system
- High customizability
However, beginners should be aware that they may encounter challenges such as a learning curve and the manual installation of some drivers.
Additionally, Debian prioritizes stability over having the latest software versions.
What is Debian Used for?
As a robust, open-source, and flexible operating system, Debian is used in a wide range of applications across many fields.
Some of its key use cases include:
- Ensuring security and system stability
- Software development
- System recovery and troubleshooting
- Efficient package management
- Educational purposes
Debian Use Cases
Debian can be installed and run on most processors, including 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Intel, AMD, ARM, and IBM Z mainframe servers.
It supports the GNOME desktop environment and includes a wide range of applications such as LibreOffice, the Evolution email system, Mozilla Firefox, music and video players, photo viewers, text editors, and PDF viewers.
Debian provides both a powerful graphical environment and a flexible command-line interface for users.
Advantages of Debian OS
Stability: All Debian packages are thoroughly tested before inclusion in its repositories. With a slower release cycle and long-term support for each version, Debian ensures a high level of system stability.
Security: Debian regularly provides security updates to quickly fix vulnerabilities and maintain a secure operating environment.
Established Distribution: Debian is one of the oldest and most respected Linux distributions. Many popular distributions, such as Ubuntu, are based on Debian.
Server Compatibility: The original Debian version can be used directly on servers without special modifications, making it an excellent choice for Linux VPS hosting.
Open Source: Being fully open source allows users to modify and adapt the operating system as needed.
Strong Community Support: Debian is developed and maintained by hundreds of volunteers worldwide. Users can participate in the community, even without programming experience.
Community and Consensus Driven: With a broad user base and active development, Debian provides access to a wide variety of software and best practices in Linux.
Disadvantages of Debian OS
- Delayed Updates: Stable versions of Debian are released every 1–3 years, which can delay access to the latest software.
- Outdated Packages: Due to its slow release cycle, some software in the Stable branch may be older compared to other distributions.
- Installation Complexity: Installing and configuring Debian can be more complex and may require higher technical knowledge.
- No Delta RPM Support: Debian does not use Delta RPM updates, as it relies on the APT/dpkg package management system instead of the RPM ecosystem.
Types of Debian versions
Debian is available in three main versions: Stable, Testing, and Unstable.
Stable version
The Stable version is the official release of Debian, providing the highest level of stability and security. Due to Debian’s slow release cycle (1–3 years), it may not include the latest software packages.
If you want cutting-edge software, the Stable version may not be the best choice.
Testing version
The Testing version contains newer software packages that are waiting to be included in the next Stable release. It allows users to test updates and provide feedback, offering more recent software than Stable.
However, Testing may not always receive security updates immediately. The current Testing branch is Trixie.
Unstable version
The Unstable version, also known as Sid, is an experimental branch where developers actively submit and test new code.
It is intended for developers and advanced users and is not recommended for daily use due to potential instability.
Debian operating system features
Some of the key features of the Debian operating system include:
- Quality Control: All packages are carefully tested before inclusion.
- Wide Software Diversity: Access to over 59,000 software packages.
- Support for Multiple Architectures: Compatible with a variety of processors and hardware platforms.
- High Stability and Security: Reliable performance for both desktops and servers.
- Different Versions: Available in Live versions, installable versions, and multiple branches (Stable, Testing, Unstable).
- GNU Core Utilization: Built on the GNU system for a robust Linux foundation.
- Completely Free: Fully open-source and free to use.
- Graphical Environment: Offers a user-friendly and visually appealing desktop experience.
Why Debian Is Popular Among Server Administrators
Debian is widely respected and has a large, loyal user base worldwide.
Its popularity among server administrators is due to key features such as:
- Security: Regular updates and strong protection against vulnerabilities
- Flexibility and Reliability: Adaptable to many use cases while maintaining consistent performance
- Community Support: Large and active community for troubleshooting and guidance
- Stability: Long-term stability suitable for critical systems
- Hardware Support: Compatibility with a wide range of architectures
- Long-Term Support (LTS): Extended maintenance for stable releases
- Customizability: Easily tailored to specific server needs
- System Administration Friendly: Tools and workflows designed for efficient management
- Excellent Package Management: Reliable installation, updates, and software handling via dpkg/APT
Is Debian Free Software?
Yes. Debian is a completely free and open-source operating system.
The Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG) ensure that all packages included in the official Debian distribution comply with free software principles.
This means that all packages and their source code can be freely used, modified, and redistributed.
What Processor Is Supported by Debian?
Debian supports a wide range of processors and architectures, including:
- AMD64 & Intel 64 (amd64)
- ARM (armel, armhf, arm64)
- MIPS (mipsel, mips64el)
- Power Systems (ppc64el)
- IBM S/390 (s390x)
Additionally, Debian’s graphical interfaces rely on the X.Org X11 system and the Linux kernel.
FAQ
How to Check Debian Version?
To check the installed version of Debian, you can use several simple terminal commands.
The most common method is: lsb_release -a
or cat /etc/os-release
or cat /etc/debian_version
For a complete guide with additional methods and explanations, refer to the full tutorial:
https://operavps.com/docs/check-debian-version/
How to Configure DNS Server in Ubuntu/Debian
For install and configure a DNS service such as BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain).
First update system sudo apt update
Install BIND sudo apt install bind9
Configure Named Options sudo nano /etc/bind/named.conf.options
Create Zone Files /etc/bind/named.conf.local
Restart the Service sudo systemctl restart bind9
Enable the Service sudo systemctl enable bind9
For a complete step-by-step guide with detailed configuration examples, refer to the full tutorial:
https://operavps.com/docs/configure-dns-server-in-linux/
How to Install UFW Firewall on Debian 11?
Update Package Index sudo apt update
Install UFW sudo apt install ufw
Enable UFW sudo ufw enable
Configure Rules:
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
Check Firewall Status sudo ufw status verbose
For a complete guide with examples and best practices, see the full tutorial:
https://operavps.com/docs/ufw-firewall-on-debian/
How to Use dig Command in Debian
The dig command is a powerful tool for querying DNS servers and diagnosing domain resolution issues on Debian or Ubuntu systems.
1. Install dig (if not already installed)
2. Basic Usage
To query a domain:
This shows the domain’s A record and other DNS details.
3. Query Specific Record Types
MX record (mail servers):
NS record (name servers):
TXT record (text entries):
4. Use a Specific DNS Server
This queries Google’s public DNS server instead of your default resolver.
5. Quick Output (Short Answer)
For a complete guide with practical examples and advanced options, refer to the full tutorial:
https://operavps.com/docs/alias-command-in-linux/
How to setup OpenVPN on Ubuntu or Debian
The easiest way to setup OpenVPN on Ubuntu or Debian is using the OpenVPN setup script. Due to the complexity of setting up a personal OpenVPN server for novices, Installing OpenVPN using a script is the best option. Setting up OpenVPN, an open-source Virtual Private Networking (VPN) solution, on Ubuntu or Debian creates a secure...
Conclusion
Debian is one of the oldest and most widely used free Linux distributions, serving as the foundation for many other distributions.
It is commonly used on both servers and personal computers, with Linux VPS deployments being a particularly popular use case.
Debian allows programmers to modify its source code and contribute to new versions, supporting a dynamic and evolving ecosystem.
Key features of Debian include stability, rigorous quality control, access to over 59,000 software packages, and broad support for multiple processor architectures. These qualities make Debian an excellent choice for both novice and professional Linux users.
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