Canonical has unveiled its roadmap for Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed “Plucky Puffin,” showcasing major advancements in performance, compatibility, and developer tools. This new release aims to strengthen Ubuntu’s position as a leading Linux distribution.
Performance Optimization with -O3
As part of its focus on improving performance, Ubuntu 25.04 will enable -O3 optimization flags by default for compatible packages. This approach seeks to maximize performance by recompiling only packages that benefit significantly from these optimizations while disabling it for those that experience a performance drop.
Key System Software Updates
The upcoming release will feature critical updates such as glibc 2.41, systemd v257, and OpenSSL 3.4, bolstering system stability and security. Additionally, Ubuntu 25.04 will introduce dracut as an alternative initramfs generator, paving the way for it to become the default option in the 26.04 LTS release.
Enhanced LLVM Support
In an effort to integrate the LLVM compiler more comprehensively into the Ubuntu ecosystem, Canonical will perform a complete package rebuild using LLVM. The results will be published for maintainers and the community to review and improve support.
APT Revamp
Ubuntu’s team is working on a significant update to APT’s internal solver, which has reached its limits after 20 years of use. The new solver promises more predictable results when installing or removing packages and will provide clearer explanations for failed installations.
New Tools and Developer Support
Ubuntu 25.04 will bring substantial updates to its development tools, including new versions of Python 3.13, GCC 15, Rust 1.83, Java 24, and Go 1.24. Additionally, a long-awaited snap for Spring and Spring Boot developers will debut, streamlining the setup of development environments with Maven or Gradle.
The improved .NET snap will significantly enhance the developer experience by allowing easy management of multiple .NET runtime and SDK versions through an efficient installer and an improved CLI.
Focus on RISC-V and ARM
Ubuntu is advancing its commitment to emerging architectures. On-demand package testing for RISC-V will be introduced, with plans to integrate with http://autopkgtest.ubuntu.com. Significant progress has also been made in supporting Ubuntu Desktop on ARM laptops, particularly Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors, with compatibility confirmed for six platforms.
Quality Assurance and Automated Testing
To ensure release quality, Canonical will evaluate the use of openQA for automated ISO testing. A public instance of this tool is planned by the end of the development cycle, offering enhanced automation capabilities and better visibility into the release’s overall quality.
Key Dates and Next Steps
The development of Ubuntu 25.04 will culminate in its official release next year, alongside Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS as part of the planned release schedule. Developers and the community will monitor any roadmap changes before the feature freeze in February 2024.
Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” promises to deliver significant improvements in performance, compatibility, and developer tools, cementing its role as a vital distribution for Linux users and professionals alike.
Via: Foros ubuntu and Noticias Linux.
