I'm new to programming and want some help finding the right operating system.?

Question

I want to start learning the programming language C, but I'm not sure which operating system to use, Windows or Linux? They say linux is better, but then others say use Windows if you normally use Windows. Please give me some advice, and which version/distribution. Thanks. ( And if you know a good book/website, text editor, and/or compiler for learning C for the operating system, please include them in you answer too.)

Answer 1

I strongly recommend Linux for a couple of reasons:

* It is a lot easier to write and debug C code in Linux over Windows (the tools are better and cheaper)

* If you need to get real world experience (the type of stuff you can put on a resume) there are more FLOSS (Free Lybre Open Source Software) projects that use C on Linux then on Windows (including many of the core parts of the operating system)

* The Linux programming community (ie Forums) are more likely going to help you out (this is part of the overall FLOSS mentality which states if you share your code then others can help you with it vs the Windows mentality of if you share your code, others will steal it from you)



If you need help choosing which type of Linux distro to use, I strongly recommend the following site ( http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php?firsttime=true ). It will also give you a link to the distro's website and the LiveCD.



I would only program in Windows if you plan to get into .NET programming (one of the major frameworks used in the IT industry). While you can use .NET on Linux it isn't as good (or supported) as it is on Windows. C is one of the languages in the .NET framework (along with C++, C#, VB, and others).

Answer 2

As a computing platform, not just limited to programming, Windows is a suite of appliances.



UNIX-type systems (like Linux) are like a toolbox.



Your mother may use a food-processor to prepare meals. Real chefs use knives.



Learn to use the bash shell (the Bourne-type command interpreter standard in all Linux systems), along with the coreutils including sed, plus a scripting language like Python or Perl, and the compiled language C, and there is no programming task you will be unable to accomplish.

Answer 3

I had windows in college, I waisted most of my time fixing it then using it. Linux is good but its difficult to get work done on it, like setting up drivers and finding programs.



Buy a MacBook Pro. Best decision I ever Made. I program AVR and JAVA. Its a powerful computer with a stable unix OS. Plus you can run your windows programs on it with VMware unity mode or Bootcamp. And surprisingly all my Windows video games run faster on my mac through bootcamp. It has an Nvidia 256Mg, 4 Gb ram and around 300Gb HD.



For some reason on windows it shows up as a 512 NVidia, I don't know why?



BUY A MAC. It's sexiness will make you a better programmer, Every time i open it i have joy in using my computer. Not the hatred i had for the ugly windows.

Answer 4

I think Linux is the best platform for you, by far.



If you are just learning C++, it's better to get your fingers dirty by using Linux by command line. If you want a career as a software developer, there's lots of non-Microsoft C++ work in web-based tools. Especially Google, Apple, companies that are in direct competition to Microsoft. The Internet is still run on Linux. Iphones, Blackerry OSs may also be linux-based.



Google's OS will be Linux-based. Apple's OS is Linux-based. Microsoft's Windows 7 will also be Linux-based.



Linux is also free.



When do you consider other OS's?

Windows if you want to work for Microsoft or a company that makes windows-based desktop applications.



Aside from that, Linux is a prudent choice.



Paul Wolborsky

http://www.AjaxofAllTrades.com

Answer 5

Hey buddy .



I advice you if you're new to programming or computers in general is to stay with Windows . There are a lot of C Compilers available for Windows, but also isn't bad, but Windows is a lot easier, about the books. There is a good book written by Dennis Ritchie -The creator of C Language- called "The C Programming Language" . Cheers!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

salam

i think u r talking to learn programming language not operating system

as u want to learn C focus on using C.

then every OS u use u will have it's C compiler . many compilers u can found them for both windows and linux and for free (as DEVC++). so to learn C/C++ focus on it.( u have already an OS installed work with it :) )

bye for now

Answer 8

Windows is better if you new to programing. Also, CodeBlocks is a good IDE and it supports C and C++, if you download it, make sure to download the file that containts the GCC compiler! Codeblocks is also supported on most linux distros