NixOS has one config file, can roll back changes, and keeps package dependencies separated for each app

This is quite an interesting Linux distro that has been around longer than Ubuntu, but does require some learning of their package management system in the command line interface i.e. not really for beginners.

The single config file gives you the ability to replicate the exact same setup across other machines (organisation) or maybe just for rebuilding your own machine. It also enables you to specific exactly what packages must be installed on any build, ready to use. So to restore, or reproduce, your system all you need is that main config file, and your document and user config files from /home (I’m imagining you still need to backup the entire /home folder).

Updates are run from the command line, but it tracks dependencies separately for each application, so this keeps the system rock solid. One update does not break other packages. As far as I understand it, this extends further than just user applications, so on boot-up at the grub menu, you can roll back changes. Yes Flatpak and Appimages also do this, but only for their applications, and it does support both of this, but not Snaps.

It usually has two stable releases per year, but you can also opt for a unstable rolling release. It has over 80,000 packages so is close to what the AUR has.

So, yes its a different philosophy, much like Arch is different say to Debian. It does require an initial learning curve, and then you do need to stick to using its package manager and keeping your config file updated when required.

Watch (Peertube) at https://tilvids.com/w/kNVby1VfBYz9vbn6Zbg5xW