13 Reasons Why Linux Is Better Than Windows
1. Security
Linux tends to be a highly reliable and secure system than any other operating systems (OS). Linux and Unix-based OS have fewer security flaws, as the code is reviewed by a huge number of developers constantly. And anyone has access to its source code. So, you won’t need any anti-virus software to protect your PC from malware and viruses. The reason it’s secure because it’s open-source, which means you can see its source code. As a result, bugs in the Linux OS will fix rapidly compared to other OS.
2. Free
If you use windows, you need to buy it or use a crack version of it, like a thief. It just doesn’t feel good after a certain age when you use something unethically when there is a free better OS is available for you.
3. Developer Friendly
The package-manager of Linux is way more robust than any other OS. Installing software in Linux is notably easy compared to Windows. It can enhance the work-flow for programmers remarkably. Most cases, you only need to open up the terminal and write:
sudo apt-get install <software-name>That’s because Linux comes with software managers like apt, rpm , dpkg, synapticetc.
In Windows, you need to search for the website where you can find it. Download the .exe file. Then click on the .exe file. Click, click, click, …… . Finally, most cases, you need to reboot the system to make the software working. Whereas in Linux, this process is way easier and needs no rebooting to make the software working.
4. Pre-installed Powerful Tools
A lot of handy useful programming tools comes pre-installed with Linux. For example, grep, wget, cron etc. Linux also comes with native support for SSH, which helps managing servers swiftly.
It also depends on different distributions of Linux. Like in Kali Linux, you get a lot of pre-installed tools for hacking and penetration testing. This helps a beginner to start the learning process right away.
5. System Update
In Linux, users have full control over updating their system. The system updates are immensely faster in Linux. You can update the system at any time or never, that’s your own wish. On the other hand, Windows sometimes forces the user to update the system.
At times, you power up your system, and out of nowhere, the system starts updating, when you maybe need to send an urgent mail to someone. Also, the system updates are notoriously slow in Windows.
6. Privacy
Windows always collect user data. Almost everything. Even if they give you the option to diagnostics data viewer, but there are a lot of complain that it’s just a pretence. Linux doesn’t have any hide and seeks game, as you can always look into its source code.
When it comes to Linux, you can literally see everything that is transmitting from your system, if you’re tech-savvy enough. Even if you’re not, there are tens of thousands of eyes who are looking into the source code and looking for flaws that can cause any vulnerability to the system.
7. Task Automation
By automating tasks, one can work more efficiently, which makes life easier. Bash shell scripting doesn’t come native with windows, and you need to install third-party software to make it work in an ugly way. Experienced Linux users don’t write one thing twice because Linux lends itself very well for task automation.
Sometimes we do the same thing again and again, which consumes a lot of time. All of these repetitive tasks can be automate with one-liners. Linux terminal is kind of the heart of Linux. There are Bash, SH, Korn, ZSH, Fish shells, use whatever the one you like. The terminals are all about efficiency. No unnecessary movements, browsing through file manager and clicks.
8. Portability
Linux is a portable OS. It supports a wide range of computer architectures. Portability means you can move your code from one system architecture to another easily. When you need to troubleshoot a system in day to day life, having a lightweight system is amazing.
Now, let’s say you have a GitHub repo where there is a set of instructions to install all the software you use in just one file, then what you can do is just execute that one file from anywhere to make your system ready to go with all the software you use in an entirely new Linux installed in your system. Perhaps, within 20 minutes, your system will be ready to go as your daily driver.
9. Customization
If you don’t like something in Linux, you can remove it or modify it according to your choice. For example, if you don’t like GNOME, you can change it to KDE plasma. Else, you can also install a lot of extensions to enhance your desktop environment or even you can make your own custom UI. You won’t find these level of freedom in any other OS.
You can even run your Linux without any UI at all. A lot of people/companies use Linux only to maintain servers, so all you need is just a terminal.
10. Hardware Support
Windows-powered systems require higher hardware requirements. As the OS evolve, with the latest Windows systems, your very old hardware supported PC may become obsolete because it won’t support in your old hardware. Whereas, with Linux, you can install it on very low-end hardware systems.
11. System Performance
Linux powered PCs are way faster than Windows. The main reason for that Linux a lightweight system and Windows is crammed with lots of unnecessary software. A lot of systems running on the background makes your windows PCs sluggish.
Another reason is, file systems are pretty organized in Linux. Files are located in chunks that are closer to each other, which makes read-write operation way faster than Windows.
That’s the reason, most cloud systems run on Linux. Even Microsoft runs Linux to run Azure. xD
12. Linux Can Run in Almost Anywhere
You can run Linux from Super Computers to Game Consoles, Smart TVs, Smartwatches, Car infotainment systems, Flight entertainment systems, Self-driving cars, Nuclear Submarines and many more. NASA heavily relies on Linux for data transmission from satellites and telescopes. Read about this more from here.
13. Meaningful Error Message
“Oops! something went wrong…” type of messages are not useful at all. I know that Windows users are tired of this blue screen.
This sort of error message doesn’t help in any way. As a user, I want to know what’s actually went wrong. If you can know the explicit error message, you can at least make an attempt to solve the problem.
Linux provides precise error logs that tell you what caused the error. By knowing what went wrong precisely gives you an option to search for the solution on the internet.
Author
Sadman Kabir Soumik | Machine Learning Engineer @Chowa Giken Corporation.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sksoumik
