I read a nice post on Reddit from a new Ubuntu user.
How I feel about Ubuntu (after 2 months) : Ubuntu (reddit.com)
They wanted to use flatpaks and someone pointed them to an It’s FOSS article.
It’s good to see these nice topics and not someone complaining or flaming this that or the other OS.
Just read that article
I did not know snap was closed source?
That means it is not even FOSS?
Is that correct?
Here is what the Bingbot said about it.
Snap, the package management system, has an interesting backstory. Let’s delve into the details:
- Origin:
- Snap was initially developed by Canonical to create applications for IoT platforms. Its primary goal was to facilitate app updates and simplify maintenance for developers compared to traditional deb packages.
- Over time, Snap expanded its scope to include desktop applications with graphical interfaces. If you’re curious about the full history of Snap, I recommend reading Alan Pope’s blog post1.
- Use Cases:
- Flatpak and Snap serve different purposes. Flatpak is tailored exclusively for Linux workstations and personal computers, allowing users to run desktop applications.
- On the other hand, Snaps are versatile. They work on both desktops and can be used for server-focused terminal applications. For instance, Ubuntu Core, an IoT operating system, relies on Snaps for security and reliable updates1.
- Startup Time:
- Snap applications have been criticized for their slower startup compared to Flatpak. Canonical has been addressing this issue, but it remains a point of contention.
- In practical terms, not every user may notice or care about the difference, but overall consensus favors Flatpak for better app startup times1.
- Open Source Status:
- Flatpak is entirely open source.
- Snap, however, is more nuanced. While the snapd package management tools (which manage/install snap apps) are open source, there’s complexity related to Canonical’s servers for obtaining snaps and associated metadata12.
In summary, Flatpak is fully open source, while Snap combines open-source components with some intricacies related to its infrastructure. Both formats have their merits, so choose based on your specific needs!
Learn more
OK, so the code in each snap is open source, but its delivery is complex and maybe partly undisclosed.
