Abstract: Linux-based open-source operating system distributions are usually built from a series of interrelated packages. Due to the large number of packages, complex relationships such as dependencies and conflicts, the operating system distribution building is also complicated. The granularity and precision of customization are insufficient, and there may be many redundant packages. The current operating system distribution building is mainly organized through engineering experience, and especially the selection of software packages lack of theoretical analysis and guidance. This paper proposes a basic model of operating system distribution construction based on dependency relationship. Combined with the distribution building process and software repository data of Ubuntu, statistical analysis and model verification are carried out on the characteristics of software packages, such as in_degree and out_degree, priority, classification, etc. This paper summarizes the main principles of the operating system distribution building from the perspective of dependency relationship, and provides guidance and important reference for the subsequent improvement of the precision of automatic distribution customization, software release evolution and bug analysis.

Key words: operating system, dependency, distribution building, software release management