The top Linux distributions are simple to use and offer security for cloud, online, and Android applications as well as programming.
Because Linux powers both the network and mobile devices as well as cloud computing platforms, this is becoming more and more significant.
Tech professionals frequently need to work in a Linux environment. This is crucial when running servers or creating applications on them.
Programmers and coders are the main users of the well-liked operating system Linux. Over the past 20 years, Linux has been improved to be more usable by the average user.
The Linux environment is still excellent for programmers and developers. The top Linux distributions that are most well-liked by developers have been reviewed. We examined their fundamental design, the resources and applications they offer, as well as their general stability.
The best Linux operating systems for creating your own programming and development environment are listed above.
We also list the best Linux training companies, online programmes, and distributions for power users.
1. MANJARO, BEST LINUX DISTRO FOR DEVELOPERS OF 2022 IN FULL
Best distribution for developers based on Arch
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Multiple editions based on Arch
intuitive, specially made tools
DISCOURAGABLE REASONS
Several odd shortcuts
Arch is a strong distribution that may be used to build a unique environment. It can be laborious to install the distribution. You may avoid the installation process with Manjaro Linux and still take advantage of everything Arch has to offer. An Arch-based system’s administration and installation are simplified by Manjaro Linux.
Manjaro is available in a number of variants that offer various desktop settings. If you are a Qt developer, you can also utilise the KDE edition. It includes tools to aid in development, such as the Qt Designer and Qt Assistant.
Manjaro asserts that the distribution includes tools to aid other developers in the compilation and development of applications. Installing development environments (IDEs) like Netbeans, Qt Creator, or KDevelop as well as libraries like boost or libnoise is simple with Manjaro’s package management. You can access the Arch User Repository (AUR), which has its own repositories in addition to various tools and libraries.
Puppies Linux
best Linux distribution for programmers using outdated hardware
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Out-of-the-box functionality plus lightweight
effective programming support
Puppy Linux is a slim distribution. It has different editions that are based on Slackware or Ubuntu. It can run entirely in RAM because it is small enough. Puppy Linux becomes quick and responsive as a result. The distribution can also be hard drive-anchored.
Puppy’s out-of-the-box capabilities makes it little yet mighty. On your desktop, you can use programmes and utilities to perform practically all tasks.
Puppy offers a variety of app installation techniques. The simplest is SFS (SquashFS), which are compressed environments that package one or more apps with all necessary dependencies. The devx file can be used to build on Puppy.
An excellent introduction to programming can be found on the Puppy Linux Wiki. Developers who are just starting out should start here. The installation of support for more than a dozen programming languages into your Puppy Linux system is also covered on this page.
3. SOLUS
A stable developer distribution that uses rolling releases
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MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Multiple editions, a curated rolling release, and support for development use-cases
DISCOURAGABLE REASONS
Ships often have a small toolkit.
Since Solus is one of the few Irish Linux distributions, it is special. It also uses a meticulously planned out rolling release system. This enables you to keep running updates after the OS has been installed. To maintain system stability, Solus tries to stay away from installing beta applications or extremely new packages.
It promotes itself as the ideal setting for developers. Numerous editors and IDEs, including Atom, Idea, and Gnome Builder, are supported by Solus. Additionally, it supports a variety of version control systems using graphical tools like GitKraken or git-cola, including Git, Bazaar, and others. The OS is said to support a number of programming languages, including Rust, PHP, and Node.js, according to the Solus project website.
You can use the distro to create your own Linux distribution even if it doesn’t contain many tools.
UBUNTU 4.
It does everything and is a fantastic developer distribution!
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Created with all users in mind+
Releases with Stable Long-Term Support+
properly documented
RED FLAGS – No highlighting features
Ubuntu is a well-liked Linux distribution that is suitable for everyone, from Linux newbies to seasoned campaigners. Programmers may work in a reliable environment that doesn’t require them to update every six months thanks to the Ubuntu Long Term Support release (LTS).
Actually, the Android Open Source Project prefers Ubuntu as its recommended distribution for building source files. On a regular basis, the most recent Ubuntu releases are used to test the Android build. The distro’s official website has a wealth of tutorials, manuals, and other materials aimed at programming professionals and developers alike.
Due to its widespread use, practically all programming and development tools and libraries are available in the official Ubuntu repository as well as in a Personal Package Archive. Snap packaging has made it simple to install new software.
A developer-friendly command-line tool for Ubuntu is called Ubuntu Make. You may obtain a lot of developer-friendly tools thanks to this.
SABAYON LINUX 5.
Best development environment for Gentoo users
THE POWER OF GENTOO +Multiple versions + Graphical Tools + MANY OTHER REASONS TO BUY
To put it simply, Sabayon is to Gentoo what Manjaro is to Arch Linux. Lightning-fast and bloat-free installations can be made using Gentoo, a source-based meta distribution. Gentoo, nevertheless, is not for the timid. Sabayon Linux combines the best features of Gentoo into a user-friendly distribution that is available to all users.
Sabayon Linux is available in a number of variants, each of which is based on a unique desktop environment. This project aims to deliver a more comprehensive experience right out of the box. Its Gentoo basis gives it stability and enables a quick rollout. Gentoo Linux’s original developer, Funtoo, is combining with this project.
Python is one of the few development tools that Sabayon Linux includes by default, but you can add more by utilising Gentoo’s famed portage package management system.
DEBIAN 6.
Most reliable Linux distribution for developers
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Designed for Stability+
Huge Manuals+
Numerous Software Options
REDUCIBLE CAUSES – Some software is outdated – Insufficiently user-friendly
One of the most well-liked Linux distributions, Debian, was created with durability and reliability in mind. Each and every programme that is a part of the distribution must adhere to the Debian Free Software Guidelines. The Debian stable branch only accepts tested and carefully selected packages. This indicates that there is extremely minimal potential for system instability even though some packages might be out of date. For programmers, this OS is perfect.
The comprehensive documentation available on the Debian website includes a chapter on programming that guides you through writing and compiling a script. Additionally, you can utilise Autoconf to make your scripts available for other Linux distributions to compile.
One of the largest repositories for open-source software may be found at Debian. You won’t have any trouble locating and installing your preferred libraries and programming tools as a result.
The greatest foundation for a reliable production system or a desktop that you enjoy using is Debian. Because of its strong reputation, it is one of our top Linux distributions for programmers.
CENTOS STREAM 7.
The finest Linux distribution for businesses is this one, which is essentially a free Red Hat Enterprise Linux variant (RHEL).
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR PURCHASING +Stable rolling release+Enterprise-grade packages+Development focused
A community-based Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) derivative called CentOS Stream is a free and open-source variant of the CentOS operating system. It is a rolling release distribution that was created using the same software as RHEL. RHEL for business is tested on CentOS Stream. Before RHEL, CentOS Stream gets updates and packages. This implies that users can download free enterprise-class software.
In order to assist users stay current with the newest technology within the open source ecosystem while retaining stability, CentOS Stream describes itself as a “developer-forward distro.”
To serve as an upstream platform for distro developers, CentOS Stream was created. You can build your ideal development platform with the help of the many tools and apps available in its repositories. This is especially true after PowerTools have been enabled.
8. WORKSTATION FEDORA
a distribution created with programmers in mind.
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR PURCHASE, INCLUDING +Multiple variants+ +Developer-friendly documentation+
ample supply of tools
It proudly states that Fedora Workstation was “built for developers”. This distribution is an additional, more modernised than CentOS Stream, community-supported variant of the commercial RHEL. The Linux kernel’s developer, Linus Torvalds, favours it as his favourite distribution.
Fedora is incredibly easy to install and operate. Click “Start a Project” to obtain specific guidelines for creating web, command-line, and mobile apps. A section that describes how to work with hardware devices like the Arduino is also available.
An integrated multi-language IDE called Eclipse is available in the Fedora repository. Eclipse has an IDE for C/C++ or PHP in addition to its more well-known Java IDE. You can increase its capabilities by using plugins.
OPENSUSE 9.
Platform for cross-platform development: ideal option
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Regular and rolling releases+
made with programmers in mind
efficient configuration tools
Although OpenSUSE is less well-known than Fedora and Ubuntu, it nonetheless creates a fantastic Linux distribution for programmers. OpenSUSE creates two distributions: openSUSE Tumbleweed, a rolling release version, and openSUSE Leap, a normal distribution with a defined release schedule.
Either of these distros can be used, depending on the type of development you are doing. Both distributions make use of YaST, an installation and configuration tool from openSUSE. As a result, you can modify the installation to suit your needs.
System administrators and developers are the intended audience for this publication. It concentrates on offering solid platforms. Utilizing SUSE Linux enterprise source code, developers have tried to accomplish this goal.
The most recent versions of OpenSUSE can be used with Windows 11, although we don’t advise beginners to do this.
For Windows users, we’ve highlighted the best Linux distributions.
10. BEST Linux Distribution for Raspberry Pi Developers
MANY REASONS EXIST FOR BUYING +
Built for novice programmers+
supported by excellent documentation+
Easy-to-use
The Raspberry Pi was created to be a cheap computer that could be used by anyone to learn programming. Previously known as Raspbian, Raspberry Pi OS combines a desktop intended for programmers.
The distribution is enhanced by the Raspberry Pi website. The credit-card-sized computer comes with some amazing manuals that demonstrate how to utilise it to learn Python programming. Scratch is a visual programming tool that is available in the Raspberry Pi OS and is excellent for teaching programming.
Learning the programming language for Minecraft Pi, a scaled-down version of the popular sandbox game, would be a smart idea for younger programmers.
The Raspberry Pi is useful for more than just programming and education. The distribution developers can use it as a very powerful PC as well. For use with well-known video conferencing programmes like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, this Raspberry Pi has been specially designed.
THE BEST LINUX DISTRO FOR DEVELOPERS TO SELECT FOR YOU
Many of the top Linux distributions for programmers are based on more well-known, all-purpose distributions. For instance, if you have prior RHEL experience, CentOS or Fedora may be a logical next step for your programming requirements.
You can choose from a number of distros that are tailored to meet your needs precisely if you have a certain use case in mind. While the Raspberry Pi OS would be a logical choice for Raspberry Pi development, lightweight distros are fantastic for older computers.
THE BEST WAYS TO TEST THE TOP LINUX DISTROS FOR DEVELOPERS
We installed each Linux distribution in order to provide you with an unbiased review. We look at the installation procedure and rate how simple it is to use. Finally, we look at the main parts that went into creating the distribution.
We examine which applications, tools, and apps are required and assess how well each distribution satisfies a developer’s needs.
The type of upgrades and continuous support are then examined. In order to assess the documentation and identify any official online communities, we also examine each developer’s website.