What is the latest version of FreeBSD?
At this point in FreeBSD’s development, there are two parallel development branches; releases are being made from both branches. The 4.X series of releases is being made from the -STABLE branch and the 5.X series of releases is being made from -CURRENT. Version 5.2.1 is the latest release from the -CURRENT branch; it was released in February 2004. Version 4.10 is the latest release from the -STABLE branch; it was released in May 2004. Briefly, -STABLE is aimed at the ISP, corporate user, or any user who wants stability and a minimal number of changes compared to the new (and possibly unstable) features of the latest -CURRENT snapshot. Releases can come from either branch, but -CURRENT should only be used if you are prepared for its increased volatility (relative to -STABLE, that is). Releases are made every few months. While many people stay more up-to-date with the FreeBSD sources (see the questions on FreeBSD-CURRENT and FreeBSD-STABLE) than that, doing so is more of a commitment, as
Version 4.4 is the latest STABLE version; it was released in September, 2001. This is also the latest RELEASE version. Briefly explained, -STABLE is aimed at the ISP or other corporate user who wants stability and a low change count over the wizzy new features of the latest -CURRENT snapshot. Releases can come from either branch, but you should only use -CURRENT if you are sure that you are prepared for its increased volatility (relative to -STABLE, that is). Releases are only made every few months. While many people stay more up-to-date with the FreeBSD sources (see the questions on FreeBSD-CURRENT and FreeBSD-STABLE) than that, doing so is more of a commitment, as the sources are a moving target.
Version 4.0 is the latest stable version; it was released in March, 2000. This is also the latest release version. Briefly explained, -STABLE is aimed at the ISP or other corporate user who wants stability and a low change count over the wizzy new features of the latest -CURRENT snapshot. Releases can come from either branch, but you should only use -CURRENT if you’re sure that you’re prepared for its increased volatility (relative to -STABLE, that is). Releases are only made every few months. While many people stay more up-to-date with the FreeBSD sources (see the questions on FreeBSD-CURRENT and FreeBSD-STABLE) than that, doing so is more of a commitment, as the sources are a moving target.
Version 4.7 is the latest RELEASE version; it was released in October, 2002. This is also the latest STABLE version. Briefly, -STABLE is aimed at the ISP, corporate user, or any user who wants stability and a minimal number of changes compared to the new (and possibly unstable) features of the latest -CURRENT snapshot. Releases can come from either branch, but -CURRENT should only be used if you are prepared for its increased volatility (relative to -STABLE, that is). Releases are made every few months. While many people stay more up-to-date with the FreeBSD sources (see the questions on FreeBSD-CURRENT and FreeBSD-STABLE) than that, doing so is more of a commitment, as the sources are a moving target.
At this point in FreeBSD’s development, there are two parallel development branches; releases are being made from both branches. The 5.X series of releases is being made from the 5-STABLE branch and the 6.X series of releases from 6-STABLE. Up until the release of 5.3, the 4.X series was the one known as -STABLE. However, as of 5.3, the 4.X branch will be designated for an “extended support” status and receive only fixes for major problems, such as security-related fixes. There will be more releases made from the 5-STABLE branch, but it is considered a “legacy” branch and most current work will only become a part of 6-STABLE. Version 6.2 is the latest release from the 6-STABLE branch; it was released in Jan 2007. Version 5.5 is the latest release from the 5-STABLE branch; it was released in May 2006. Briefly, -STABLE is aimed at the ISP, corporate user, or any user who wants stability and a minimal number of changes compared to the new (and possibly unstable) features of the latest -CU
