Wednesday, November 22, 2017

installation - Why do PPAs get errors after an upgrade?


I have a question??
After Upgrading to a newer version of ubuntu every time for some time I have problems with getting software from launchpad.


So I have a question why does that happens why does ubuntu can not use a file that previous version of ubuntu could, and why does not every dev adds support from the day one ??
Is it a lot of work to make it run on a new ubuntu ???


Thank you for your answers




  • Each release of Ubuntu is a complicated "stack" of software and libraries.

  • Applications are very often built against specific versions of these libraries (eg various Python libraries or libc versions) and therefore a PPA needs to be built for a release of Ubuntu.

  • Updating the stack can introduce new bugs that weren't there in the older builds.

  • Any package developer with half a conscience will want to build and test the software locally before pushing it up to Launchpad for public consumption.


That all takes time and as you might note PPA stands for Personal Package Archive. These are mostly from volunteers who have donated their time to package stuff up for themselves and other users.


More than that, testing the software also requires that the developer has also upgraded their local install. I need my computer for my job. I don't upgrade for at least I wait at least a month before I upgrade. I would imagine there are other developer who wait longer.


If you need a precise reason for something, talk to the person in charge of a PPA. It's usually just one person who only issues new builds when there's a new upstream. In the case of Handbrake:



For questions and bugs with software in this PPA please contact John Stebbins.



Just remember that they're a person and not a company you've paid money to.


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