Concept

Software Source Configuration (/etc/apt/sources.list)

Main Software Sources

deb http://mirrors.aliyun.com/debian buster main non-free contrib
deb-src http://mirrors.aliyun.com/debian buster main non-free contrib

Description:

• deb: Binary package source (pre-compiled)
• deb-src: Source code package repository (non-compiled)
• buster: Debian 10 (Buster) version, released on July 6, 2019
• Components:
  • main: Officially supported free software packages
  • non-free: Non-free software
  • contrib: Free software packages that depend on non-free software

Update Sources

deb http://mirrors.aliyun.com/debian buster-updates main non-free contrib
deb-src http://mirrors.aliyun.com/debian buster-updates main non-free contrib

Description:

• buster-updates: Contains updates for Debian 10 buster, including security patches and bug fixes

Security Update Sources

deb http://mirrors.aliyun.com/debian-security buster/updates main non-free contrib
deb-src http://mirrors.aliyun.com/debian-security buster/updates main non-free contrib

Description:

• debian-security: Security updates for Debian 10 (Buster)
• /updates: Subdirectory specifically for security-related updates

Buster Backports

Buster backports is a software repository in Debian that provides newer versions of software packages than those available in the current stable release (in this case, Debian 10 "Buster"). These packages were not included in the main repository when the stable version was released but were "backported" to the stable version, allowing users to use newer software versions without upgrading to an unstable version.

• Backports: Refers to the process of porting updated software packages from Debian's unstable version (sid) to the current stable version. These packages are modified and tested to ensure they work properly in the stable version, hence the term "backported" packages.
• Purpose: To provide newer software versions, especially for important and frequently updated software packages such as browsers, development tools, or hardware drivers, without requiring an upgrade to a new Debian version.

In the buster-backports repository, you'll find the latest stable versions of various applications and libraries that are not yet included in the main Debian Buster repository.

.deb Packages

A .deb package is a software package format used in Debian and its derivatives (such as Ubuntu). It is an abbreviation for "Debian Package". It is an archive file containing software binaries, configuration files, and installation/uninstallation scripts. The .deb format is the core format for managing and distributing software in the Debian system. A .deb package is essentially an archive file.