When it comes to Linux distributions, the first thing that comes to mind may be Ubuntu, Debian or Fedora, etc., but today I want to introduce to you an unusual Linux distribution-NixOS.
NixOS is an exciting distribution. Let’s take a look at why you might want to give it a try.
NixOS…another distro using a different package manager? 🤯
OK, NixOS is one of the premium Linux distributions.
So if I’m writing this, I must have a pretty solid reason, right? Well, there are many!
I've been using it for 3 months now and it's so good that I'm considering switching to NixOS from my all-time favorite Pop!_OS.
In this guide, I will share the key features of NixOS that make it stand out from the crowd of Linux distributions.
Don’t worry; before we continue, let me tell you what NixOS is:
“
It is a Linux distribution with the Nix package manager at its core, saving you the trouble of setting up on different Linux distributions and letting you get the most out of Nix. Built by the same team that developed Nix.
”
NixOS is a fun standalone Linux distribution built from the ground up.
Everyone can learn a lot by using NixOS, but in my opinion, if you are a developer or a computer science student, NixOS should be a good fit.
Let me tell you why.
NixOS is built on durability.
This doesn't mean it ships with packages for stability for years like Debian does, but it takes a different approach.
To understand why NixOS is so stable, let's talk about how users typically break their systems, namely "Dependency issues or package conflicts"
When updating your system or installing new packages, you often experience severe system crashes. Mainly because your package manager cannot satisfy the dependencies or the installed package conflicts with the existing system.
NixOS has a very clever way of handling this problem.
See, whenever you upgrade the system or install a package, the system state is rebuilt , called the current " new generation".
So if you encounter any problems with new packages or updates, you can always roll back to the old generation where you will find the previous state of your system.
Even if the system is inaccessible, you will find previous generations available on boot.
Using a configuration file, you can create copies of the current environment for other physical systems.
To benefit from this feature, you can install and configure it using Nix configuration files.
Once you have a config file that suits your purposes, send that file to a fresh installation and replace the default config file with yours. It's that simple!
Rebuild the configuration, upgrade the system, and switch via the given commands:
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --upgrade
You will have a copy of the development environment you have on your host machine in just a few minutes.
Related: NixOS 22.05 released, independently developed GNU/Linux https://www.linuxmi.com/nixos-22-05.html
While you may have gotten inspiration from NixOS’s “Generations” feature.
there are more. 🕵️
NixOS relies heavily on symlinks (always). If this is a new concept to you, please refer to the following guide:
How to create symbolic links in Linux [Complete Guide] https://www.linuxmi.com/creating-symbolic-links-in-linux.html
Typically, with other Linux distributions, when you upgrade a package, the new package replaces the old package.
But this is not the case with NixOS.
In NixOS, packages are isolated and stored in a unique directory, which is where symbolic links are used.
Whenever you upgrade a package, NixOS will adjust the symbolic links to locate the new package, but will not remove the old package .
So if you encounter a conflict with a new package, just switch to the old generation, symlinks will help find the old version of the package. 😌
Nix Package Manager gives you access to over 80,000 packages! Not just limited to Linux; it also works on macOS, WSL2, Docker, and more platforms.
Package availability is similar or even better than the AUR, as you should find almost everything on the Nix package manager.
For example, I want to install the Librewolf browser, which is not available in the default repositories of most Linux distributions.
But Nix does! This means that almost every package can depend on the Nix package manager.
It's also relatively easy to understand if you have previous Linux experience. In short, the Nix package manager is impressive!
This is critical for developers because some applications require older versions of specific dependencies, while some require the latest versions.
As I mentioned before, nix installs packages into specific subdirectories, and each package is isolated so they don't interfere with each other!
Before using Nix, I used VMs and containers for different dependencies of the same package, especially PHP, but NixOS has done wonders for my workflow.
You can use nix-shell, which will temporarily modify the $PATH environment variable and be used to temporarily test the package.
And there is no limit. You can test every package available for installation!
This is the first part of our Nix series, in which I cover the reasons for using NixOS. I believe more Linux users should start learning about it, if you don't already know it.
In short, NixOS has become a Linux distribution that has attracted much attention with its unique features and advantages. Whether you are a Linux newbie or a veteran, you can try this system, maybe it will bring you a different experience.
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