Is it really easier to code in linux?

[Nvidiaguy07]

Im just starting to learn how to code, and I've done it in OSX and in Windows a little. Im learning both c++ and javascript.

I've heard people say its easier to code in linux. why i this? Isnt it just the program that your coding with?

 

[Nothinman]

One of the big advantages is the availability of source code. You can see the code all the way down from your application down to the kernel if you need.

I think a huge advantage is the ease in which the tools are installed. With Windows and OS X you have to spend hours downloading and installing things from dozens of websites while with Linux you just pick a package or meta-package that pulls in everything you need. I know there are package manager apps for both Windows and OS X, but they're not nearly as complete and they're not integrated with the system so it's not quite the same.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

One of the big advantages is the availability of source code. You can see the code all the way down from your application down to the kernel if you need.

I think a huge advantage is the ease in which the tools are installed. With Windows and OS X you have to spend hours downloading and installing things from dozens of websites while with Linux you just pick a package or meta-package that pulls in everything you need. I know there are package manager apps for both Windows and OS X, but they're not nearly as complete and they're not integrated with the system so it's not quite the same.

ahhh i see. So is linux good for all languages? or is it better for certain ones? Specifically C++

 

[pauldun170]

One of the big advantages is the availability of source code. You can see the code all the way down from your application down to the kernel if you need.

I think a huge advantage is the ease in which the tools are installed. With Windows and OS X you have to spend hours downloading and installing things from dozens of websites while with Linux you just pick a package or meta-package that pulls in everything you need. I know there are package manager apps for both Windows and OS X, but they're not nearly as complete and they're not integrated with the system so it's not quite the same.

As a developer, it makes no difference to me downloading an IDE from the IDE's website or package manager.
Zero.

As a developer, there is no difference to me what OS I'm running my IDE or toolsets. I code within the IDE. In my personal experience, it takes less time to set up my IDE\local dev APP servers\ local DB's on a windows box.

Finally if you are learning how to code...pick the OS you are comfortable with. You dont want to end up wasting time going through unnecessary write-ups and walk-throughs for configurations specific to OS if you dont have to. If its easier for you to do configure your toolsets in the windows world. Stick with windows.
If you are comfortable mucking around through Linux...go for it.

If you are learning C++ and Javascript...it doesn't matter what OS it is.
zero difference in the learning curve.
If you are not comfortable with Linux then you will end up wasting time learning the Linux world.

 

[PowerYoga]

no real difference. I find it easier to code using eclipse/VS/whatever other windows based IDEs. It really comes down to whether you want to learn a new operating system while coding, because you're going to have to learn linux if you want to code on it.

 

[zokudu]

As a student majoring in IT with some computer science classes on the side I chose to code in Linux to prevent myself from goofing off while trying to do homework. It has been hit or miss because I love tweaking my linux install almost as much as I enjoy playing video games.

 

[degibson]

"easier" is an oversimplification. Honestly, if you're serious, the platform doesn't matter. Even more so if you routinely use IDEs.

 

[Nothinman]

As a developer, it makes no difference to me downloading an IDE from the IDE's website or package manager.
Zero.

As a developer, there is no difference to me what OS I'm running my IDE or toolsets. I code within the IDE. In my personal experience, it takes less time to set up my IDE\local dev APP servers\ local DB's on a windows box.

Finally if you are learning how to code...pick the OS you are comfortable with. You dont want to end up wasting time going through unnecessary write-ups and walk-throughs for configurations specific to OS if you dont have to. If its easier for you to do configure your toolsets in the windows world. Stick with windows.
If you are comfortable mucking around through Linux...go for it.

If you are learning C++ and Javascript...it doesn't matter what OS it is.
zero difference in the learning curve.
If you are not comfortable with Linux then you will end up wasting time learning the Linux world.

Obviously you should use the system that you're more comfortable with, but I still find the little things that Linux includes like strace, ltrace which don't have Windows equivalents of which I'm aware to be very valuable. And I may be putting more value into the package management, but as a non-pro developer I find it much easier to get a complete and functional environment because of it.

 

[Pia]

Being able to easily install latest compilers, libraries, version control, other tools via the Linux distro's package manager is really valuable. I have had big trouble setting up stuff on OS X which would have been a snap in Linux, and not everything is available.

Compared to Windows, Linux also gives you a nice terminal environment, and it's easier to write build/test scripts and do all sorts of stuff that might come in handy.

Finally, Valgrind is a stupidly good tool for which I don't think there is a direct Windows replacement.

I'm far from a Linux fanboy; never ran it on any of my own computers, and have only coded professionally in Windows. But if I was setting up a workstation for coding, I'd probably make it Linux unless I had a reason to do otherwise.

 

[Crusty]

I don't care what kind of machine I write my code on(as long as I have vim), but I sure would rather target Linux over Windows if I had a choice.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I've always found Windows to be a better platform for development primarily due to Visual Studio.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I personally prefer coding under Linux, but that's more a personal preference. I just like the fact that there are good tools easily available, from gcc/g++ as the compiler, valgrind for memory debugging, gdb for debugging etc and they're all free.

I also hate googling code stuff for Windows because I need to filter out all the .net stuff that come sup. I hate nothing against .net and I actually do have a project that uses it, I just don't like using a OS based platform if I don't have to.

From what I hear VS is fairly good now though, so I would not say anything bad about it or discourage someone from using it. Most of the stuff I code is server daemon type apps so to me Linux makes more sense.

I also like using the command line for coding. Well, a decent UI text editor for the actual code, but console for compiling/debugging. The up arrow is great. Once I have my consoles all setup the way I like recompiling or running is an arrow up away.


I think all in all, it's more a preference thing, one platform is not really easier than the other.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I would say you can develop a more efficient workflow on linux, but VS is easier to use.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

It depends on what you're coding. If you're just learning, and especially in an interpreted/scripting language like Java, then it doesn't matter a bit. Your IDE is your coding environment, and the language you're writing in might have a better IDE on certain platforms than on others. E.g. obviously .NET languages will be best on a Windows box. In general, the IDEs on Windows are probably the most developed and user-friendly (even for non-MS languages like Java). Take this advice with a grain of salt though; I write code in vim and haven't used an IDE for many years. Technically, most of the time I code in vim on a Linux/Debian box, but I'm using it through the terminal app on my Mac.

If I were going to write Java or any of the .NET languages, my choice would probably be Windows. C++, a Unix. Other stuff.... (web languages like PHP, JavaScript, Python, Ruby)... doesn't matter.