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Have I misunderstood immutable distros? (sopuli.xyz)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/linux@programming.dev
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I have Bazzite running on a BC-250 machine. A few weeks ago, I made some changes using rpm-ostree related to zram and swap. I had assumed that, because I used rpm-ostree, the changes would become part of the "tree" and I could rollback to the original settings. But when I went to look at Bazzite's rollback tools, it seemed solely focused on rolling back to previous official releases, and I couldn't find any reference to the specific changes I made.

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[–] 21 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (4 children)

https://docs.bazzite.gg/Installing_and_Managing_Software/rpm-ostree/

Layering packages irresponsibly can be destructiveand may prevent updates as well as other issues until the layered packages are removed.

Use this method as a last resort and for anything at a "system-level" only since it can pause updates, if the package contains dependency issues with future upgrades, until the package is uninstalled.

MAJOR caveats using rpm-ostree

Layering packages can cause severe consequences including:

  • Pause system updates until package(s) are uninstalled.
  • Prevent rebasing to different images until package(s) are uninstalled.
  • Conflict with existing packages as part of the image leading to dependency issues.
  • Updates taking longer to download as you layer more packages to your system.

Youre breaking a core tenant of immutable distros by installing system level packages. i think that might be your misunderstanding?

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  • [–] 7 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

    Bazzite's messaging has merit, but we'd be making a mistake by regarding it as absolute. It makes more sense to take them as carefully written guide lines for a specific audience.

    Furthermore. with all due respect, but OP's writing doesn't imply installing/managing software with rpm-ostree. Which, is actually the subject of the documentation entry you quoted. As such, I think you might have misunderstood them.

    Youre breaking a core tenant of immutable distros by installing system level packages.

    Finally, FWIW, I absolutely disagree with the above. The page you quoted from seems to agree with me on this: "Layering packages are mostly intended for system-level applications, libraries, and other dependencies."

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