The DCC is not a Linux distribution; it is a "base" Debian system composed of essential programs or "packages" from Debian GNU/Linux, combined with member additions to attain LSB certification and achieve broad commercial acceptance and support.

DCC Alliance members draw from a single software repository with a common posting of enhancements, fixes, and security updates. Each member of the Alliance can decide what further components they wish to add to their particular certified distributions. The benefits from this approach include a pooled development effort, enhanced security, and one standard set of components that third party application providers can support.