Distro Info

1.0 · active · verified Fri Apr 17

The `distro-info` library provides Python modules and data files with comprehensive information about Debian and Ubuntu distributions, including codenames, versions, release dates, and end-of-life dates. It is maintained by the Ubuntu Developers and is currently at version 1.0. Releases are stable and generally align with Debian/Ubuntu development cycles, focusing on data updates rather than frequent API changes.

Common errors

```
ImportError: cannot import name 'get_current' from 'distro_info'
```
cause Attempting to import functions directly from the top-level `distro_info` package instead of its specific submodules.

fix Functions like `get_current` are located in submodules. Import them correctly: `from distro_info.ubuntu import get_current` or `from distro_info.debian import get_distro_info`.
```
My code shows 'Ubuntu Focal Fossa' but I'm on Fedora!
```
cause Misunderstanding the library's purpose. `distro-info` provides static data *about* Debian/Ubuntu distros, not dynamic detection of the host OS.

fix This library is designed for querying Debian and Ubuntu distribution details. If you need to detect the operating system your Python code is running on, use a different library like the `distro` package (note: no `-info` suffix) or standard library modules like `platform`.
```
SyntaxError: Missing parentheses in call to 'print'
```
cause Running `distro-info` (especially version 1.0 or newer) with a Python 2 interpreter. Version 1.0 dropped Python 2 support.

fix Ensure your Python environment is using Python 3 (specifically, Python 3.6+ is recommended for `distro-info` 1.0+). Upgrade your interpreter if needed.

Warnings

breaking Python 2 support was dropped in `distro-info` version 1.0. Attempting to use this version with a Python 2 interpreter will result in SyntaxErrors or similar compatibility issues.
Fix: Ensure your environment is running Python 3.6 or newer. Upgrade your Python interpreter if necessary.
gotcha This library provides hardcoded data about Debian and Ubuntu distributions. It does NOT detect the host operating system you are running on. If you use it on a Fedora, CentOS, macOS, or any non-Debian/Ubuntu system, it will still return data specific to Debian/Ubuntu, not your actual OS.
Fix: Understand the library's scope: it's a data provider for Debian/Ubuntu distribution information, not a general-purpose host OS detection utility. For host OS detection, consider libraries like `distro` (without the -info suffix).
gotcha The main functions like `get_current()` and `get_distro_info()` are located within specific submodules (`distro_info.ubuntu` or `distro_info.debian`), not directly available from the top-level `distro_info` package.
Fix: Always import functions from their specific submodule, e.g., `from distro_info.ubuntu import get_current`.

Install

pip install distro-info Install stable version

Imports

get_current
wrong:
```
from distro_info import get_current
```
correct:
```
from distro_info.ubuntu import get_current
```
Top-level `distro_info` package does not expose specific functions directly; they are within `distro_info.ubuntu` or `distro_info.debian` submodules.
get_distro_info
wrong:
```
from distro_info import get_distro_info
```
correct:
```
from distro_info.debian import get_distro_info
```
Functions are module-specific (e.g., for Debian or Ubuntu data).

Quickstart

This quickstart demonstrates how to fetch information about the current Ubuntu development series and a specific Debian distribution using their respective submodules.

from distro_info.ubuntu import get_current, get_distro_info

# Get information about the current Ubuntu development series
current_ubuntu = get_current()
print(f"Current Ubuntu Series: {current_ubuntu.series} ({current_ubuntu.codename})")
print(f"Release Date: {current_ubuntu.release_date}")
print(f"Support until: {current_ubuntu.eol_date}")

# Get information for a specific Debian codename
debian_stretch = get_distro_info(codename='stretch')
if debian_stretch:
    print(f"\nDebian Stretch Version: {debian_stretch.version}")
    print(f"Debian Stretch Codename: {debian_stretch.codename}")
else:
    print("\nCould not find Debian 'stretch' information.")

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