Use Old PPA if New PPA is Not Available for New Ubuntu Version

Question

1. What is best practice when a PPA has not been updated for a new release of Ubuntu?

2. Is it possible to use the PPA from the previous Ubuntu version? If so, how?

Every time a new version of Ubuntu comes out I run into the issue that some of my PPA's have not been updated. For example, I just installed 18.04 which broke compatibility with Sublime Text 3 (which worked fine in 17.10). I am using Ansible to setup my repos on a clean install.

If I try to install Sublime using - ppa:webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu

I get an error that:

E:The repository http://ppa.launchpad.net/webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu bionic Release' does not have a Release file

(see also https://launchpad.net/~webupd8team/+archive/ubuntu/sublime-text-3)

If I attempt to add the older 17.10 artful repo:

- ppa:webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu artful main

I get an error that:

W:Target Packages...is configured multiple times in /etc/apt/sources.list

Ansible code:

- name: install repositories
  become: true
  apt_repository: repo='{{ item }}'
  with_items:
    - deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic main restricted universe multiverse
    - deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu bionic partner
    - deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    - deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    - deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-security main restricted universe multiverse

    - ppa:webupd8team/sublime-text-3/ubuntu artful main

Answer 1

If a PPA was not updated in time for a new Ubuntu release you have several options:

• wait until the PPA will be updated for the newer release
• install the package from source
• use another repository (see e.g. the official repository for sublime text)

Only if you are brave enough and confident you can manage errors and dependency issues you can try the following:

• download and install a debian package for the previous release

Using a PPA designed for a previous release may lead to instabilities.