repository - Use Old PPA if New PPA is Not Available for New Ubuntu Version

1. What is best practice when a PPA has not been updated for a new release of Ubuntu?

2. Is it possible to use the PPA from the previous Ubuntu version? If so, how?

Every time a new version of Ubuntu comes out I run into the issue that some of my PPA's have not been updated. For example, I just installed 18.04 which broke compatibility with Sublime Text 3 (which worked fine in 17.10). I am using Ansible to setup my repos on a clean install.

If I try to install Sublime using
- ppa:webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu

I get an error that:

E:The repository http://ppa.launchpad.net/webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu bionic Release' does not have a Release file

(see also https://launchpad.net/~webupd8team/+archive/ubuntu/sublime-text-3)

If I attempt to add the older 17.10 artful repo:

- ppa:webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu artful main

I get an error that:

W:Target Packages...is configured multiple times in /etc/apt/sources.list

Ansible code:

- name: install repositories
  become: true
  apt_repository: repo='{{ item }}'
  with_items:
    - deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic main restricted universe multiverse
    - deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu bionic partner
    - deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    - deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    - deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-security main restricted universe multiverse
    - ppa:webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu artful main

If a PPA was not updated in time for a new Ubuntu release you have several options:

Only if you are brave enough and confident you can manage errors and dependency issues you can try the following:

• download and install a debian package for the previous release

Using a PPA designed for a previous release may lead to instabilities.