NixOS: Difference between revisions

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=== Installation ===

=== Declarative ~~System~~ Configuration ===

=== Declarative Configuration ===

One of NixOS's most distinguishing features is the ability to ''declaratively configure'' the whole system. This is done by specifying a configuration file which defines which packages are installed on the system, which services to run and various other settings and options. This file is normally called <code>configuration.nix</code> and is found by default at <code>/etc/nixos</code>, although another location can be set using the environment variable <code>NIX_PATH</code>. The system configuration is then built with the command <code>nixos-rebuild</code>. The following is an example of a <code>configuration.nix</code> file:

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For inspiration, a variety of NixOS configuration files made by community members can be found in the [[Configuration Collection]].

=== Imperative User Environment Management ===

=== Imperative Operations ===

==== User Environment Management ====

In addition to declarative system configuration, NixOS offers imperative commands to manage ''user specific'' package management. These operations are managed by the <code>nix-env</code> command line tool. The following is a summary of some common operations that can be performed with it:

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|}

=== Channels ===

==== Channels ====

Nix ''channels'' are mechanisms for distributing Nix expressions alongside the associated binaries for them. Nix channels are automatically updated once a certain tests are passed in Nixpkgs' Hydra instance.

{| border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse"

|+ Channel Types

|Stable Channels

|''nixos-17.03''

|These receive conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities.

|-

|The Unstable Channel

|''nixos-unstable''

| Corresponds to the main development branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates.

|-

|Small Channels

|''nixos-17.03-small'' or ''nixos-unstable-small''

| Identical to their normal namesakes, but containing fewer binaries. This means they update faster but require more to be built from source.

|}

== Internals ==

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 === Installation ===
-=== Declarative System Configuration ===
+=== Declarative Configuration ===
 One of NixOS's most distinguishing features is the ability to ''declaratively configure'' the whole system. This is done by specifying a configuration file which defines which packages are installed on the system, which services to run and various other settings and options. This file is normally called <code>configuration.nix</code> and is found by default at <code>/etc/nixos</code>, although another location can be set using the environment variable <code>NIX_PATH</code>. The system configuration is then built with the command <code>nixos-rebuild</code>. The following is an example of a <code>configuration.nix</code> file:
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 For inspiration, a variety of NixOS configuration files made by community members can be found in the [[Configuration Collection]].
-=== Imperative User Environment Management ===
+=== Imperative Operations ===
+====  User Environment Management ====
 In addition to declarative system configuration, NixOS offers imperative commands to manage ''user specific'' package management. These operations are managed by the <code>nix-env</code> command line tool. The following is a summary of some common operations that can be performed with it:
@@ Line 86: / Line 88: @@
 |}
-=== Channels ===
+==== Channels ====
+Nix ''channels'' are mechanisms for distributing Nix expressions alongside the associated binaries for them. Nix channels are automatically updated once a certain tests are passed in Nixpkgs' Hydra instance.
+{|  border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse"
+|+ Channel Types
+|Stable Channels
+|''nixos-17.03''
+|These receive conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities.
+|-
+|The Unstable Channel
+|''nixos-unstable''
+| Corresponds to the main development branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates.
+|-
+|Small Channels
+|''nixos-17.03-small'' or ''nixos-unstable-small''
+| Identical to their normal namesakes, but containing fewer binaries. This means they update faster but require more to be built from source.
+|}
 == Internals ==