Best Linux Distros For Programming

Sameer Hussain
5 min readNov 11, 2022

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1. Debian GNU/Linux

It is one of the most important distros not because it is popular, but because many other distros are built on its stable branch .The basis for Debian’s prominence as a developer’s operating system is the enormous amount of packages and software support that developers require. It is strongly advised for expert programmers and system administrators.

2. Ubuntu

When it comes to development, Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution. It has developed to become one of the highlights of the Linux distribution over the years, owing to the open-source community. It is a Debian-based distribution used in cloud and server applications.

In Ubuntu, getting started with development is simple. Your favourite software and utilities are now just a few clicks away thanks to.deb packages.

Not to mention that its own Software Center contains a plethora of free software, making it an excellent Linux OS for programming. Its LTS version is supported for five years and offers the consistency of a fixed release.

3. openSUSE

openSUSE is a very stable programming operating system that can easily compete with Ubuntu owing to its professional and timely development.

This Linux distribution comes in two flavors: Leap and Tumbleweed.

One of openSUSE’s key features is its YaST package management, which makes it simple to automate many operations. Another noteworthy feature of this stable Linux distribution for developers is its package delivery system. Another advantage is its extensive package database and friendly community.

4. Fedora

Fedora is available in numerous versions, with the Fedora workstation being specifically geared for developers. It is fairly reliable and includes a plethora of tools for configuring the programming environment. It works on most devices out of the box, and every minor version adds new features, security, and bug fixes.

Furthermore, Fedora solely ships with open source components, making it an excellent alternative for open-source enthusiasts. Linus Torvalds, for example, favours Fedora to Debian and Ubuntu. Furthermore, you may post your issues in the Fedora forum and anticipate a timely response. Because Red Hat supports Fedora, you can expect it to perform flawlessly during the development process.

5. Pop!_OS

In 2017, the US-based Linux hardware company System76 released Pop! OS, an unique Ubuntu-based Linux version. After Ubuntu chose to abandon its proprietary Unity desktop environment, the business made this decision and embraced the previously successful GNOME desktop environment. They’ve now created COSMIC, a GNOME-based desktop environment with additional functionality.

Pop! OS empowers programmers by providing a keyboard-driven tiling window manager to improve productivity. The user experience is improved through advanced window management, shortcuts, and workspaces.

6. Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a popular Linux distribution among Linux enthusiasts who demand total control over their operating system. Assume you’re starting from scratch. In such situation, you may use Arch Linux to create a customized operating system that might rapidly become a wonderful Linux distro for programming and other development reasons.

7. Solus OS

It is one of the finest distros for programming since it comes with a number of programming tools out of the box and is powered by the Budgie desktop environment.

If you’re coming from Ubuntu, one of the challenges you may experience is the “eopkg” package management. Understanding eopkg is not difficult, but you will need to devote some effort to it.

8. Manjaro Linux

According to Distrowatch, it is the second most popular distribution, which speaks a lot about the distro. It is ideal for amateurs seeking for an Arch Linux alternative since it combines all of the capability of Arch Linux. Furthermore, Manjaro is available in three editions: GNOME, KDE, and XFCE, ensuring that you don’t lose out on your preferred desktop environment.

It offers a simple GUI installer, similar to Ubuntu or Linux Mint, which makes the installation procedure much more manageable.

9. elementaryOS

While elementaryOS is a beautiful Linux distribution, it is also built on Ubuntu, one of the greatest Linux distributions for programming.

As a result, if you want a wonderful combination of programming and macOS-like experience, install elementaryOS.

10. Kali Linux

Kali Linux, developed by Offensive Security, is largely used by ethical hackers to run penetration testing on insecure networks and machines. However, it may also be an excellent partner for programmers searching for a Linux distribution for programming and development.

It comes with lots of pre-installed utilities. However, it is not intended for users who are fresh to the Linux ecosystem. However, if you’ve used Linux and programming before, you’ll be fine with it.

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