The nightly builds of Ubuntu Desktop 21.10 began testing a new installer implemented as an add-on to the low-level curtin installer already used in the default Subiquity installer in Ubuntu Server. The new installer for Ubuntu Desktop is written in Dart and uses the Flutter framework to build the user interface.
The design of the new installer is designed with the modern style of the Ubuntu desktop in mind and is designed to provide a consistent installation experience for the entire Ubuntu product line. Three modes are offered: "Repair Installation" to reinstall all packages available in the system without changing the settings, "Try Ubuntu" to get acquainted with the distribution in Live mode, and "Install Ubuntu" to install the distribution on disk.
New features include the ability to choose between dark and light themes, support for disabling Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) mode when installed in parallel with Windows, and a new interface for partitioning disk partitions. The available installation options so far are limited to a choice between the normal and minimal set of packages to be installed. Of the features not yet implemented, the inclusion of partition encryption and the choice of time zone are noted.
The previously proposed Ubiquity installer was developed in 2006 and hasn't been developed in the last few years. Since Ubuntu 18.04, the server edition of Ubuntu has shipped a Subiquity installer that also uses the curtin component to perform disk partitioning, package downloads, and system setup based on a given configuration. Ubiquity and Subiquity are written in Python.
The main reason for developing the new installer is to simplify maintenance by using a common low-level framework and to unify the installation interface for server and desktop systems. Currently, having two different installers leads to additional work and confusion for users.
Source: opennet.ru