Mozilla, known for its web browser, has just announced major changes to the way it distributes its software for Linux. From now on, the versions of Firefox for Linux will be packaged in .tar.xz format, leaving behind the old .tar.bz2. This decision responds to the need to offer smaller downloads and installation times faster, improving user experience and reducing operating costs.
Why does Firefox change from tar.bz2 to tar.xz?
The .tar.xz format uses an LZMA compression algorithm, known to be more efficient. This translates into savings of up to 25% in the size of downloadable packages and a decompression up to twice as fast compared to Bzip2. Although alternatives such as Zstandard (.zst) were evaluated, tar.xz was chosen due to its greater compatibility with current Linux distributions.
This change has been on the cards for years, but it was not a priority because most users get Firefox through their distributions' repositories. However, this transition significantly improves the official distribution for those who prefer to use Firefox binaries, which can be obtained from its website and FTP server.
Benefits for users and developers
Mozilla's decision benefits not only end users, but also developers and system administrators. tar.xz packages are lighter, which reduces bandwidth and storage usage for both users and Mozilla's servers. This also reduces costs associated with distribution through their CDNs.
For developers and administrators who automate package downloads, Mozilla has warned that They will have to update their scripts and tools to handle the new formatHowever, this setting will be simple, as it does not affect the internal functioning of the browser.
Availability and next steps
For now, Only Nightly versions of Firefox for Linux are available in tar.xzHowever, Mozilla plans to extend this change to all of its distribution channels, including Beta, Stable (currently v133) and ESR (Extended Support Release). This means that in the coming months, all users will be able to benefit from this improvement.
For those who already have a version of the browser installed, the change will be transparent, since Updates will be performed automaticallyHowever, those who manually download different builds for testing or development will enjoy faster and more efficient downloads.
This change underscores Mozilla's commitment to Optimize your users' experience and keep Firefox a competitive browser in the Linux environment. While it seems like a minor detail, it actually has a significant impact on speed, efficiency and sustainability for both users and the Mozilla team itself.