I'm learning coding. I use Windows. But I have heard that Linux is the best choice OS to start learning programming. What do you think?
Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
1–10 of 46 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#2If you're new to programming, and you're already a proficient Windows user, stick with Windows. The main advantage to developing with Linux is the vast availability of free and open source tools for writing and compiling code.
10 years ago the situation was a lot different but now even Microsoft is a huge proponent of open source development tools.
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#3I like Linux for programming because a lot of the tools you're going to use originated on Unix like systems and are easier to setup and use. It really depends on what kind of programming you're trying to learn though. Are you going to use C#/.NET/ Visual Studio? Then stick with Windows. Personally, I think setting up environments for Python, C, MySQL is better on Linux.
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#4(duplicate of https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16384949 from an hour ago)
Linux and starting to learn programming: if your goal is to learn programming (python) then the operating system doesn't matter. I'd concentrate on popular Python libraries. Switching from Windows to Linux will only grow the number of unknown systems/pieces to feel uncomfortable with and add distraction. It's fun to learn, just separate from programming.
I note you submitted 9 questions in the last day alone. This week 4-5 questions just which IDE/text-editor other developers use, the answers tend to repeat. There will always be a better coding setup (grass is greener) and the preference of editor is as old as programming itself.
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#5Somewhat-shrug.
For me, Linux (or even OS X) is better because in general building existing packages is easier than on Windows. A lot of tooling is built on Unix-y platforms: to use Windows you have to play a lot more games.
To be fair, Windows has vastly improved its support for many of the most common tools, and cross-platform development has advanced enough that it's not the major issue it once was.
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#6Linux gives you control. Compare compiling C++ code with Visual Studio vs. gcc. Yes, it is easier to get started with VS but you don't have as much control. With gcc (and my build tool of choice) I can control every step of the compilation and linking process.
It's "learning what's under the hood" - which I guess is an expression that comes from auto mechanics. To really learn how cars work you need to open the hood and interact with the engine.
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#7Linux gives you control. Compare compiling C++ code with Visual Studio vs. gcc. Yes, it is easier to get started with VS but you don't have as much control. With gcc (and my build tool of choice) I can control every step of the compilation and linking process. It's "learning what's under the hood" - which I guess is an expression that comes from auto mechanics. To really learn how cars work you need to open the hood…
You can use Microsoft compiler from command line as well. Some people do, and only jump into VS for debugging. Linux, on the other hand, does not provide a comparable debugging experience.
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#8Linux gives you control. Compare compiling C++ code with Visual Studio vs. gcc. Yes, it is easier to get started with VS but you don't have as much control. With gcc (and my build tool of choice) I can control every step of the compilation and linking process. It's "learning what's under the hood" - which I guess is an expression that comes from auto mechanics. To really learn how cars work you need to open the hood…
>Compare compiling C++ code with Visual Studio vs. gcc.
That is not a valid comparison as Visual Studio is an IDE and gcc is the compiler. It would be no different if you were using CLion from Jetbrains on Linux to do C/C++ work. The compiling would be handled all through the IDE. You are more than able to get down and handle building C++ from command line by using cl
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#9I've been "coding" full-time for two years now and I use Windows as primary operating system, the biggest issue/pains that I've experienced is:
1) Most of the tutorials online are written for linux 2) installing dependencies on windows is a bitch sometimes (75% of time I can get stuff to work on windows other times I give up because of lack of availability of certain packages and compiling issues).
It's my opinion that you will eventually need to learn how to operate in linux, so what I'd recommend you do to help with learning: - Install Hyper-V if you have Windows Professional, this way you can install various linux distros (start with ubuntu, then debian, then centos possibly). - install Bash for Windows - install docker for windows
http://www.evernote.com/l/AUkyLCQy0YJFQYIxEsVqV1nD1fUEpd4Uqf... ^ how to turn on hyper-v and bash for ubuntu on windows
Re: Ask HN: Why use Linux for coding?
#10Because a develper can keep GUI code or whatever out of the way. Because a developer can get tools for free, without having to justify the purchase to managers, directors, etc etc. Because a huge range of any given tool is available, from compilers to interpreters to text editors to testing frameworks. Because Linux distros aren't full of bad design decisions, like carriage return/linefeed end-of-line markers, drive letters, and magic device names that can shoot you in the foot very easily. Because developers can generally look at the source code of everything to figure out if the developer made a mistake or the underlying code has a mistake. Because Linux distros, unlike Microsoft, generally don't believe that they know what developers want to do/need to do, and don't prevent certain actions. Because developing on Windows puts you one patch Tuesday from your product being a DLL in Windows. Because freedom. Because good taste. Because Windows isn't very customizable. Because Microsoft does not document the real Windows system call interface/ABI.