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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).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Here's an exercise in extreme masochism: (lemmy.world)

submitted 10 hours ago* (last edited 26 minutes ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The Linux Ship of Theseus

pick any distro and install it.
Then, without installing another distro over the top of it, slowly convert it into another distro by replacing package managers, installed packages, and configurations.

System must be usable and fully native to the new distro (all old packages replaced with new ones).

No flatpaks, avoid snaps where physically possible, native packages only.

EDIT: Some clarification on some of the clever tools brought up here:

chroot, dd, debootstrap, and partition editors that allow you to install the new system in an empty container or blanket-overwrite the old system go against the spirit of this challenge.

These are very useful and valid tools under a normal context and I strongly recommend learning them.

You can use them if you prefer, but The ship of Theseus was replaced one board at a time. We are trying to avoid dropping a new ship in the harbor and tugging the old one out.

It may however be a good idea to use them to test out the target system in a safe environment as you perform the migration back in the real root, so you have a reference to go by.

Easy: pick two similar distros, such as Ubuntu and Debian or Manjaro and Arch and go from the base to the derivative.

Medium: Same as easy but go from the derivative to the base.

Hard: Pick two disparate distros like Debian and Artix and go from one to the other.

Nightmare: Make a self-compiled distro your target.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

it is pretty terrifying to debootstrap over ssh. constantly checking that you're on the correct system, and using the chrooted terminal. it's like a high wire act. at least the first few times.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 45 minutes ago* (last edited 44 minutes ago)

Oh I totally believe that. I can imagine how stressful that is.

This challenge is meant to be a bit different though, it's supposed to be more of a "Linux Ship of Theseus." chroot, debootstrap, parted, and dd are all very efficient ways to get the job done, but they're basically just dropping a new ship in the harbor and tugging the old one out.