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Overview

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system that consists primarily of free and open-source software. As of November 2017, Linux is used on almost all supercomputers and is the most popular operating system on servers and other large-scale hardware systems such as mainframes and large academic clusters.

The development of Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free and open software collaboration; usually, all source code can be used, modified, and shared by anyone.

What is a Linux Distribution(Distro)?

Linux itself is not an operating system. It is a type of operating system based on Unix. Linux refers to the “engine” of the operating system. Most developers can move seamlessly from distribution to distribution because all the commands will be virtually identical.

Distributions differ in the packages (utilities) they contain their desktop environments (command line or graphical), their default support for programming tools and programming languages, their customer support, user experience, and their release cycle. You can manage the tools through a package manager, but it’s often easier to start with a system that has everything you need – and not all distributions will be compatible with all packages. Unlike Windows, Linux distributions are often designed for command-line control, which lends itself well to programming.

In this article, we will look at the 10 best Linux distributions for developers

1. Arch Linux

Arch Linux has been around since 2002, but here’s the bottom line: It’s great for advanced developers and not so great for beginners. The main advantage of Arch Linux is that it has an extremely customized installation process. But that’s also his downfall; if you don’t know about Linux, it’s pretty easy to miss something important.

You won’t get anything you don’t want with Arch Linux. It’s lightweight, bloatware-free, and easy to customize, with a robust community and user repository.

If you are not an experienced Linux user, some distributions are built on top of Arch Linux, which is a bit simpler, such as Manjaro Linux.

2. CentOS

CentOS provides both a command line interface and a graphical user interface. Among the advantages of CentOS are the number of development packages, excellent compatibility with third parties, and extremely lightweight.

CentOS can be stripped down to its bare essentials for better performance, making it an ideal development machine for resource-intensive processes. This is where the type of development you want to do will affect the system that is best for you.

3. Debian GNU/Linux

If you have a Linux computer installed at school or work, it’s probably Debian. It is easy to install but also easy to customize. It is robust for both advanced users and beginners. It probably has the largest number of installed packages available. He can do anything. But it might be too hard for developers to set up and program.

4. Elementary OS

Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu. It is known for being simple, user-friendly, and straightforward. It has an excellent, simplified user interface, and it is light and fast. Elementary OS is one of the best solutions for programmers coming from the Mac OS environment because the operating system is very simple.

Elementary OS has the advantages of the Ubuntu framework. It has a dedicated StackExchange page and is perfect for programmers who just want to dive in. Not every developer wants to customize all the intricacies of their operating system.

5. Fedora Workstation

Fedora, also known as Red Hat, is one of the few commercially supported Linux distributions. Fedora is highly secure and frequently updated. It offers many features, is actively developed, and has a very large community. It has an easy-to-use GUI and is ideal for developers who want access to best-in-class features.

6. Kali Linux

Kali Linux is often touted as “hacker Linux”. It is used by security professionals, network professionals, and – of course – professional white hat hackers. Kali has built-in apps for performing penetration testing, wardriving, and other security-focused tasks. But that’s also what’s great for advanced programmers.

This means that Kali Linux is terrible for general-purpose work because it lacks most of the tools and features that are needed for day-to-day operations. This makes Kali Linux ideal for advanced programmers, but not ideal for novice developers or developers who want a multi-purpose machine.

7. Manjaro Linux

Manjaro Linux is a distribution based on Arch Linux. You will find that many popular distributions are based on other distributions. That’s the ethos of Linux; if you don’t like it, fix it!

It is user-friendly. Additionally, it has access to the Arch Linux repositories and the Arch Linux community. Like Arch Linux, it has continuous updates and is lightweight; unlike Arch Linux, it is easy to install and configure.

Because Manjaro Linux is built on top of Arch Linux, it builds its stability by delaying additions to Arch Linux for a week or two. This ensures stability. But ultimately, Manjaro Linux is a distribution for those who have trouble installing Arch Linux.

8. openSUSE

openSUSE is well known as one of the easiest Linux distributions to install, configure and maintain. It is very user-friendly. openSUSE is one of the oldest Linux distributions and there are many distributions that are influenced by it. It doesn’t have a very active community anymore, and it’s not very experimental or hip.

9. Pop!_OS

Pop OS is an operating system that is built on Ubuntu. As an Ubuntu-based operating system, it shares a lot with Ubuntu, both in terms of pros and cons.

First, it is attractive and user-friendly. If you are a front-end programmer or developer, you will enjoy its architecture. It is optimized and suitable for gamers. So that’s a bonus for game developers. It’s 64-bit only, but that won’t stop most people.

It is not minimalistic; it contains bloatware, so it cannot be considered a light installation. It has less community support and documentation than vanilla Ubuntu, but the main problem may be that it is not as easy to customize.

10. Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is an operating system that runs exclusively on RAM. It’s hard to get more light. This portable system has very low requirements. It is designed to run on a USB or CD, providing a portable development environment.

Applications for Puppy Linux are understandably very specific. However, if a developer needs a portable, lightweight system, they won’t be able to find much better. Puppy Linux is stable and well-supported, but its drawbacks are obvious. It is not a full-featured operating system, nor is it designed to be. It’s not very attractive, has a small library, and does one thing (being portable) very well.

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Conclusion

We hope you enjoy our article on the best Linux distributions for developers and programmers. But we think Linux is the best for programmers because most of the web frameworks, tools, and code editors are also open source, just like Linux. Therefore, when used together, everything acts as its own ecosystem and gives a good, seamless feel.

If you are a developer or programmer, Linux-based operating systems are best for you because these operating systems are configured to make almost all processes run efficiently and smoothly. Linux was developed by technicians for technicians, so you’ll feel right at home. Also, if you want to learn new things and technologies like web development, blockchain, game development, and machine learning, Linux distributions are the best way to learn these technologies. Contact Us for the best software development Services in Dubai, UAE.