LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
A technician needs to add the official Debian repository for the 'buster' release. Which line should be added to /etc/apt/sources.list?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the 'deb' and 'deb-src' prefixes, or mistakenly add '-updates' thinking it is required for the base release, when the question specifically asks for the repository line for the 'buster' release itself, not its updates.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
`deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main`
It uses the standard 'deb' prefix for binary packages, points to the official Debian repository at http://deb.debian.org/debian, specifies the release codename 'buster', and includes the required component 'main'. This is the exact format required by APT to fetch packages for the Debian buster release.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
`deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-updates main`
Why it's wrong here
The buster-updates suite carries post-release updates, not the base buster release the technician was asked to add. It is tempting because it is a legitimate Debian repository line, but it satisfies a different requirement; the base distribution repository uses the buster suite with the main component.
- ✗
`deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main`
Why it's wrong here
The deb-src type declares source package repositories, which APT uses only when downloading source code via apt-get source, not for installing binary packages. It is tempting because the suite, components, and URL are otherwise correct, but the stem requires a binary repository, so the deb type is needed.
- ✗
`rpm http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main`
Why it's wrong here
The 'rpm' format and 'http' method are invalid for APT sources; Debian packages use deb and deb-src with http(s) URIs. The line is tempting because it names the right host and suite, but APT would reject it, whereas 'deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main' parses correctly.
- ✓
`deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main`
Why this is correct
Naming the suite as 'buster' pins APT to that Debian release's package index, while the 'main' component restricts retrieval to officially supported free software. The deb URL form and single-line syntax match /etc/apt/sources.list requirements, satisfying the need to add the official buster repository.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.