do-release-upgrade

Upgrade to the latest release

$ sudo do-release-upgrade

$ sudo do-release-upgrade --devel-release

$ sudo do-release-upgrade --proposed

do-release-upgrade [-h] [-d] [-f Frontend] [-m Mode]

-d
    Check for the development release. Enables upgrading to the latest development release, even if it's not yet stable. Use with caution!

-f Frontend
    Specify which frontend to use. Options are 'DistUpgradeViewText', 'DistUpgradeViewGtk' and 'DistUpgradeViewKDE'. If none is specified, 'DistUpgradeViewText' is used.

-m Mode
    Run in a special mode. Options are 'desktop' and 'server'. This affects which packages are considered essential for the upgrade.

-h
    Show help message and exit.

The do-release-upgrade command is a utility used to upgrade an existing Ubuntu installation to the latest available release. It automates the process of updating the system's package sources, resolving dependencies, downloading new packages, and removing obsolete ones.

The tool checks for a newer release of Ubuntu and guides the user through the process. It typically uses the package manager (APT) to perform the upgrade. It is designed to minimize downtime and ensure a smooth transition to the new release.

It handles configuration file differences by prompting the user to choose between keeping the existing configurations, using the package maintainer's versions, or examining the differences and merging them manually. do-release-upgrade can be run either interactively in the terminal, requiring user input at several stages, or non-interactively, which is suitable for automated upgrades.

Upgrading to a development release can lead to system instability.
Always backup critical data before performing a release upgrade.

The upgrade process typically involves the following steps:
1. Updating the package lists: The command first updates the system's package lists to ensure it has the latest information about available packages.
2. Checking for a new release: It then checks if a newer release of Ubuntu is available.
3. Resolving dependencies: The command resolves any dependencies between packages in the new release.
4. Downloading packages: It downloads the required packages for the upgrade.
5. Configuration file handling: The user is prompted to handle any configuration file differences.
6. System upgrade: Finally, the command upgrades the system to the new release.

If the upgrade process encounters issues, such as broken dependencies, it is important to carefully review the output of the command and attempt to resolve them manually. Sometimes, running 'sudo apt --fix-broken install' can resolve dependency issues.
Consulting the Ubuntu community forums or documentation can also provide valuable assistance.

The do-release-upgrade command was developed as part of the Ubuntu distribution to simplify the process of upgrading between different releases. It automates many of the manual steps that were previously required, making the upgrade process more user-friendly.

It has undergone several revisions and improvements over the years to enhance its reliability and efficiency. The command is essential for users who want to keep their Ubuntu systems up-to-date with the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements.

apt(8), apt-get(8), update-manager(8), dist-upgrade(8)