Feature request freebsd-update

Alain De Vos

Alain De Vos

freebsd-update should be able to list all releases available or for your system, you can fetch and install.
E.g. "freebsd-update upgrade -r XXX" results in XXX is unsupported. But returning the list of supported XXX should not be complicated nor difficult.
 
Alain De Vos said:
freebsd-update should be able to list all releases available or for your system, you can fetch and install.
E.g. "freebsd-update upgrade -r XXX" results in XXX is unsupported. But returning the list of supported XXX should not be complicated nor difficult.
Click to expand...
Your message seems to be about binary updates/upgrades. Perhaps there are more sides (and complications) to this than one would expect at first glance.

For somewhat experienced FreeBSD users who are fully aware of the FreeBSD update-release mechanism and naming conventions, this is a nice to have IMO. You can easily look up the supported versions from the support matrix with dates: Supported FreeBSD releases and context.

Note that BETA's, RC's are not supported "versions"*, although you can get them by binary install, as in: freebsd-update -r 13.1-BETA1 upgrade as mentioned here.

Even when the BETA's and RC's are not shown in the list that is suggested; just a mere list of -RELEASE releases that are supported gives no context for FreeBSD users that does not fall in the category of "somewhat experienced FreeBSD" users. Currently that list might look something like:
Code: 
12.2-RELEASE
12.3-RELEASE
13.0-RELEASE

How would this be helpful for, say someone just new to the FreeBSD eco system or even someone who has been using FreeBSD but is not fully aware of the FreeBSD release and naming conventions? You don't get to see that 12.2-RELEASE is about to be EoL. You don't get to see that 12.3 is of a more recent release date then 13.0. You don't get to see that 13.1-RELEASE is just around the corner etc. Preferably this should be consistent over the supported different architectures.

___
* Edit: However, see messages after this one for details and clarifications
 
Thanks for pointing that out. I think it is helpful to state the full quote for context as stated in Supported FreeBSD releases:
In the run-up to a release, a number of -BETA and -RC releases may be published for testing purposes. These releases are only supported for a few weeks, as resources permit, and will not be listed as supported on this page. Users are strongly discouraged from running these releases on production systems.
Click to expand...

To me, that signifies a very specific and narrowly defined kind of support, severely limited in time and by resources; not something you would like to see listed as output of "supported versions". SirDice also clarifies the possible uses of BETA's and RC's in relation to bugs & testing purposes.
 
Erichans said:
… not something you would like to see listed …
Click to expand...

If the intention is to simplify use of a utility: I would want them listed.

This topic beginning after the announcement of the first -BETA release is, to me, a big hint.

Incidentally:
  • I don't like the phrase beta release, but that's what's used at the most popular point of reference, so I might use it, for now
  • I'm not overlooking the importance of announcements, especially where the announcement details how to use freebsd-update.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top