How does FreeBSD fit this specific use case?

[carloratm]

Hi all,

I am a long time Debian user. I use Debian professionally and personally for almost 20 years now.
I know nothing about FreeBSD, but I am exploring alternatives for a specific use case I have, and FreeBSD is a candidate.

I work for a software agency, we do very different kind of projects with very different stacks and requirements.

For the past couple of years I am using nix on top of Debian to manage different development environments, one per project.
Before nix, I was using virtual machines.
Nix is nice and much more convenient than virtual machines, but I feel like trying alternatives.
Docker containers are no fun to me, don't know why, they just aren't among the things I want to try.

- Does FreeBSD fit that use case?
- Will I be able to manage development environments which needs different versions of runtimes and libraries?
- Is Jail the tool for the job? <<- shooting in the dark here

PS: I am aware that even the answer is yes, a long road is ahead of me, as I have to start from the beginning of the handbook.

Cheers!
Carlo

 

[SirDice]

Does FreeBSD fit that use case?

Sure. Why not?

Will I be able to manage development environments which needs different versions of runtimes and libraries?

Depends on what runtimes and libraries, but the ports tree is quite flexible and you can set up various combinations. Although I would suggest setting up your own repositories and build everything in a central place. You can have different repositories based on different settings. I have a "server" and a "desktop" variant for example, because those two usages require a different set of options. For a client I've currently set up repositories based on different Ruby versions (they're transitioning from one version to the other and need to be able to switch back and forth to test their code).

Is Jail the tool for the job? <<- shooting in the dark here

That could be a solution, yes.

 

[carloratm]

I have a "server" and a "desktop" variant for example, because those two usages require a different set of options.

I may miss some important knowledge here, but what exactly is a "variant" in this context?
Can I have such a "variant" bind to a folder?

That way I can imagine a different variant per project.

Thank you

 

[NapoleonWils0n]

trying to install python applications that use torch or cuda are a problem
and you would be better off using Linux for those

things like Melotts, WhisperX, ComfyUI spring to mind

 

[SirDice]

I may miss some important knowledge here, but what exactly is a "variant" in this context?
Can I have such a "variant" bind to a folder?

Repository, one repo is for desktops, one is for servers. I don't want X related stuff on my servers for example. While I might want to enable a GUI option on applications for a desktop.

 

[bakul]

Jails can be part of the solution but I am not sure you will get the convenience of declarative configuration and reproducible builds that you get with Nix on FreeBSD.

 

[carloratm]

Jails can be part of the solution but I am not sure you will get the convenience of declarative configuration and reproducible builds that you get with Nix on FreeBSD.

Ok.

I am however tempted to try how far I can go with FreeBSD.

Will try to put on a real use case after installing and going thru the Handbook.

Cheers!

 

[USerID]

I am exploring alternatives for a specific use case I have

Why, if you, as far as I can see, have no problems. Or do you? What motives make you change the situation?

but I feel like trying alternatives.

Again. Why?

Docker containers are no fun to me, don't know why, they just aren't among the things I want to try.

What's not to like?

you would be better off using Linux for those

Excellent answer.