How to Use the Command 'do-release-upgrade' (with examples)

The do-release-upgrade command is a utility in Ubuntu designed to facilitate upgrading from one release of the operating system to another. It helps to ensure that the upgrade process is smooth and that all necessary packages are fetched and installed efficiently. It offers flexibility by allowing users to specify whether they wish to upgrade to the latest stable release, the latest development release, or the latest proposed release. These options cater to different needs from production-ready environments to development testing.

Upgrade to the Latest Release

Code:

sudo do-release-upgrade

Motivation for using the example:

Sometimes, users or administrators need to upgrade their systems to the latest stable version of Ubuntu to benefit from improved features, enhanced security updates, and better performance. By using sudo do-release-upgrade, you ensure your system is kept up to date with all the official release enhancements that come with the new version. This is typically favored in environments where reliability and stability are top priorities.

Explanation for the arguments:

• sudo: This command is prefixed with sudo to ensure it is run with superuser or administrative privileges. Upgrading the operating system involves making system-wide changes that require elevated permissions.
• do-release-upgrade: This is the core command that triggers the upgrade process to the latest stable release.

Example output:

Checking for a new Ubuntu release
Get:1 Upgrade tool signature [819 B]                                           
Get:2 Upgrade tool [1,314 kB]                                                  
Fetched 1,315 kB in 0s (0 B/s)                                                 
authenticate 'bionic.tar.gz' against 'bionic.tar.gz.gpg' 
extracting 'bionic.tar.gz'

Reading cache

Checking package manager

Continue [yN]  Details [d]  

This output indicates the start of the process, fetching necessary files, and handling verification and authentication before proceeding with the upgrade.

Upgrade to the Latest Development Release

Code:

sudo do-release-upgrade --devel-release

Motivation for using the example:

This command is particularly useful for developers, testers, or contributors working on Ubuntu who need to access the latest features and changes that are still under development. Since these versions are not stable, they are not recommended for production environments. However, for users who are contributing to the Ubuntu project or need early access to state-of-the-art features for testing, this command provides an essential capability.

Explanation for the arguments:

• sudo: Grants required administrative privileges.
• do-release-upgrade: Initiates the process of upgrading.
• --devel-release: This option tells the command to upgrade to the latest development release rather than a stable release. This provides access to the newest but potentially unstable features and packages.

Example output:

Checking for a new Ubuntu development release
Get:1 Upgrade tool signature [819 B]                                           
Get:2 Upgrade tool [1,314 kB]                                                  
Fetched 1,315 kB in 0s (0 B/s)                                                 
authenticate 'cosmic.tar.gz' against 'cosmic.tar.gz.gpg' 
extracting 'cosmic.tar.gz'

Reading cache

Checking package manager

Continue [yN]  Details [d]  

This output mirrors the stable release process but targets the latest development release, demonstrating the ability to fetch bleeding-edge updates directly from Ubuntu’s ongoing projects.

Upgrade to the Latest Proposed Release

Code:

sudo do-release-upgrade --proposed

Motivation for using the example:

For system administrators and developers who want to test packages before they hit the official stable repositories, using the --proposed option is ideal. It allows the deployment of packages that are proposed for inclusion in the next point release, offering the chance to test and give feedback on these updates beforehand. This is crucial for ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing issues when these changes become officially available.

Explanation for the arguments:

• sudo: Required to execute the command with administrative capabilities.
• do-release-upgrade: Initiates the upgrade mechanism.
• --proposed: This flag signifies that the user wants to include packages from the ‘proposed’ repository, which are not yet stable but slated for future release updates.

Example output:

Checking for a new Ubuntu proposed release
Get:1 Upgrade tool signature [819 B]                                           
Get:2 Upgrade tool [1,314 kB]                                                  
Fetched 1,315 kB in 0s (0 B/s)                                                 
authenticate 'c-tar.gz' against 'c-tar.gz.gpg' 
extracting 'c-tar.gz'

Reading cache

Checking package manager

Continue [yN]  Details [d]  

The process involves retrieving packages from the proposed updates, giving users a preview of what to expect in upcoming releases.

Conclusion:

The do-release-upgrade command in Ubuntu provides a range of options catering to different stages of software deployment, from stable production environments to the cutting edge of development and testing. Understanding these use cases enables users and administrators to better manage their systems and prepare for new functionalities and improvements in Ubuntu, whether maintaining stable environments, contributing to development, or testing proposed updates.