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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

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Can I ignore flatpak indefinitely? (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm admittedly yelling at cloud a bit here, but I like package managers just fine. I don't want to have to have a plurality of software management tools. However, I also don't want to be caught off guard in the future if applications I rely on begin releasing exclusively with flatpak.

I don't develop distributed applications, but Im not understanding how it simplifies dependency management. Isn't it just shifting the work into the app bundle? Stuff still has to be updated or replaced all the time, right?

Don't maintainers have to release new bundles if they contain dependencies with vulnerabilities?

Is it because developers are often using dependencies that are ahead of release versions?

Also, how is it so much better than images for your applications on Docker Hub?

Never say never, I guess, but nothing about flatpak really appeals to my instincts. I really just want to know if it's something I should adopt, or if I can continue to blissfully ignore.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I like package managers just fine. I don’t want to have to have a plurality of software management tools.

Same. I grumble when I have to install things through the AUR. I'd prefer if it was in the official repos.

can continue to blissfully ignore

That's what I've been doing. I haven't run into a situation where I've needed to mess with Flatpak. 🤷 Curious to hear other folk's experiences though.

Also for your consideration, Flatpak seems to be mainly used for desktop GUI apps. You'll still need your regular package manager to install CLIs. So... if you wanna keep your software management tools to a minimum...

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

The AUR is a different kettle of fish entirely, though. I do see your point, but the AUR is solving a problem common to all distros; hosting a repository for applications that there isn't willingness or capacity to host in the official binary repos.

Installation, removal, dependency management, etc are all still handled by pacman. As others have pointed out there are great tools available to aid in AUR usability. My favorite is aurutils.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

doesn't yay simplifies the AUR installation? Things have been pretty easy for me after I started using yay

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

yay simplifies the AUR installation

Simple to me means not having to install some random extra tool and just using pacman like normal. That's why I grumble.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Haa understood. In that perspective yes it is not simple. I would also be happy if pacman had better support for AUR.

But I have a different perspective on this. I always look for the right or the best tool available to do something. So I'm not that hesitant to use another tool for AUR. I guess it's a personal preference after all.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

You don't have to use an AUR helper, you could build it all with makepkg, but the helper just allows you to save time searching, downloading, and building.