I am a newbie in tech. This blog post is dedicated to the absolute beginners who are new to the programming and web development domain.
I have been using Linux and Windows side by side for quite some time now. This blog post is based on my personal experience. I have found Linux more a developer-friendly operating system. In this blog post, I will quickly compare some key features of both the Linux and Windows Operating Systems. We will see the advantages of Linux over Windows, which will help you choose the right OS for programming or web development purposes.
Since this article is mostly focused on using a Linux distro, I will share with you lots of free learning resources related to Linux. This will help newbie coders to get comfortable with Linux distro.
I am a big fan of Windows OS and have been using it for years. It is super user-friendly, well-designed, and convenient. However, if you are thinking of getting into programming or web development, a Linux distro (such as Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian) is the best Operating System to start with. So, what is a Linux ?
Linux Vs Windows Feature Comparison
Let’s compare the features of Linux and Windows OS.
Open Source
Unlike Windows OS which is commercial, Linux is an open source software that is freely available to download. There are hundreds of Linux distributions available out of which almost five hundred distros are in active development. One of the most popular desktop Linux distributions is Ubuntu. I am currently using it.
Secure
Linux is considered to be more secure than Windows. No antivirus is needed. Since it is open-source, several developers are working on it and everyone can contribute code. It is likely that someone will find a vulnerability long before hackers can target a Linux distro.
Faster Software Updates
You will get faster software updates. If the bugs are found by someone, the users get updates immediately, they don’t have to wait for long. Development tools and libraries are available for free.
Performance
Linux is more powerful and versatile than Windows. It is lightweight, which makes Linux faster than Windows. You will notice a significant improvement in speed on a Linux distro when you start working on this OS.
Programming Friendly
As I said in the beginning of this article, a Linux distro is the best OS for a budding programmer to start with. Developers Linux. Let’s see some key features of Linux
1. Linux supports almost all of the programming languages such as Clojure, Python, Julia, Ruby, C, and C++ to name a few.
2. The Linux terminal is better than Window’s command line. If you want to learn command line basics quickly and super fast, you will find this course helpful. Here is a comprehensive guide to learn Linux command line for beginners. You can also use this guide to learn the command line for iOS and Linux.
3. Bash scripting – Bash is extremely useful for developers and it is available by default on Linux. Learn how to create and use bash scripts. Here is a cheat sheet on bash scripting.
4. Linux has inbuilt support for SSH. With this, you can easily manage your servers. Learn how to use SSH using this Digital Ocean guide.
5. You can easily customize and personalize your Linux distribution.
6. It also supports several efficient tools for developers that make the life of developers a lot easier.
Great Community Support
Since hundreds of Linux distros are in active development and they are open source, the community is big. All newcomers can find help on any of the Linux forums. If you are stuck somewhere in your development process or need help in your coding process, just Google it. You can find several Linux based helpful resources.
How to install and use a Linux distro
There are many ways to install and use it. A few ways to install Ubuntu (a popular Linux distro):
1. You can use Windows Subsystem For Linux. I recommend this tool for newbies in tech. I have been using this method for quite some time now, and I am extremely satisfied.
2. You can download Ubuntu and freshly install on your system. Also, google it and you will find several free resources on how to install this OS.
3. Install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10 dual boot.
4. Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 using Virtual Box.