• grue@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      2 months ago

      It means a change either applied completely and successfully, or not at all (think “atomic transactions” in databases).

    • priapus@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      2 months ago

      Atomic in software refers to an operation that cant be interrupted because it happens in one step. This one of the big selling points of atomic or immutable distros. Your system will not be left in a broken state by cancelling an update because updates do not take multiple steps, unlike traditional distros.

    • Deckweiss@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      2 months ago

      How could you install anything or change any setting if it was truly immutable?

      Immutable OS makes sense in certain scenarios, but not in home computing.

      • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        edit-2
        2 months ago

        Do a little research, dude… Do you think you’re the first person to have those questions/issues? That’s all been addressed.

        I’ve been on an atomic/immutable distro for a few months now (Bazzite), and the experience has been great.