Difference between revisions of "Switching Branches"

Rephrased the paragraphs on testing and unstable - changed boxes
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(Rephrased the paragraphs on testing and unstable - changed boxes)
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= Overview =
= Overview =


{{warning|Software downloaded and installed from the ''Testing branch'' will, by nature, not have been fully tested, and may be unstable.}}
{{Important|Manjaro packages downloaded and installed from the ''Testing branch'' or ''Unstable branch'' will, by nature, not have been fully tested, and may be unstable.}}
{{warning|Software downloaded and installed from the ''Unstable branch'' may break your system! '''They should therefore only be used by more experienced users and Manjaro testers'''. Less experienced users may wish to switch to the '''Testing''' branch instead.}}


{{Note|Please refer to [[System Maintenance]] Section for important information.}}
{{Important|Please refer to [[System Maintenance]] Section.}}


One of the many features that sets Manjaro apart from other Arch-based distributions is that it uses its own dedicated software branches, rather than relying on those provided by Arch itself. In fact, to ensure continued stability and reliability, Manjaro actually uses three distinct branches:
One of the many features that sets Manjaro apart from other Arch-based distributions is that it uses its own dedicated software branches, rather than relying on those provided by Arch itself. In fact, to ensure continued stability and reliability, Manjaro actually uses three distinct branches:
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* '''Stable branch''': the packages that come to stable have gone through roughly a couple of weeks testing by the users of the ''Unstable/Testing'' repos, before they get the packages. These packages are usually free of any problems.  
* '''Stable branch''': the packages that come to stable have gone through roughly a couple of weeks testing by the users of the ''Unstable/Testing'' repos, before they get the packages. These packages are usually free of any problems.  
* '''Testing branch''': These users are the next line of defense. Being a larger number of users than those using ''Unstable'', they refine the work done prior to them installing the packages with their feedback.
* '''Testing branch''': These users are the next line of defense. Being a larger number of users than those using ''Unstable'', they refine the work done prior to them installing the packages with their feedback.
* '''Unstable branch''': which usually runs inside of 3 days behind Arch package releases & are modified as necessary to suit Manjaro. Those that use ''Unstable'' need to have the skills to get themselves out of trouble when they upgrade into it. They are the Manjaro users who are most likely to need to use such skills. Due to the feedback from the users of the ''Unstable'' repo, most bugs are found & fixed for the rest of Manjaro's users. Although the very latest software will be located here, <u>using the ''unstable branch'' may consequently break your system!</u>
* '''Unstable branch''': is synced several times a day with Arch package releases. Only a subset of Arch packages are modified to suit Manjaro. Those that use ''Unstable'' need to have the skills to get themselves out of trouble when they upgrade into it. They are the Manjaro users who are most likely to need to use such skills. Due to the feedback from the users of the ''Unstable'' repo, most bugs are found & fixed for the rest of Manjaro's users. Although the very latest software will be located here, <u>using the ''unstable branch'' is usually safe but - in rare cases - may cause issues with your system!</u>


'''Summing up''', unstable packages are tested in the ''unstable'' branch. Once they are a bit stable, they are moved to the ''testing'' branch, where more tests will be realized to ensure the package is ready to be submitted to the ''stable'' branch.
'''Summing up''', unstable packages are tested in the ''unstable'' branch. Once they are a bit stable, they are moved to the ''testing'' branch, where more tests will be realized to ensure the package is ready to be submitted to the ''stable'' branch.


{{Note|Please be aware that the ''unstable'' branch comes directly from Arch Linux's stable branch.}}
{{BoxSecondary|Note on unstable branch|Please be aware that the ''unstable'' branch comes directly from Arch Linux's stable branch. So for most usecases these packages are considered stable.}}


== Changing to another branch ==
== Changing to another branch ==
{{tip|Why not become and active part of the Manjaro community by becoming a tester?}}
{{BoxSuccess|Have you considered?|Why not become and active part of the Manjaro community by becoming a tester?}}


In order to access a branch, you need to change your pacman-mirrors configuration.
In order to access a branch, you need to change your pacman-mirrors configuration.
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