how does linux compare with windows xp???????

Question

how does linux programming compare to windows xp computer programming?

Answer 1

Writing programs for windows means writing in c++ against the Win SDK or managed code to run under net 2.0 or later. For the latter you can use the free visual studio express.



Obviously if you want to develop programs for windows, you'll do it on XP or Vista. Both work fine for me.



Developing for linux means getting a gcc compiler. The you pick one of the frameworks or API to build a user interface, and so forth. While it is not too hard to write a portable C++ program that runs in command line mode, the user interface gives most problems on linux.



You can program Java on Eclipse on both platforms.



In the end, it depends on the kind of application you want to build and to whom you want to distribute it.



By the way, after june 08 Microsoft will stop selling XP in retail, so if you do windows programming, you might as well get Vista. As you can expect, all the microsoft development tools and database systems run fine on vista.

Answer 2

The programming languages are the same, and each one have a set of tools like debuggers, compilers, script languages, IDEs and libraries that are not all that different.



Under Windows there are the frameworks, like MFC and STL. .Net and many APIs to learn, like WMI and DirectX. And the Windows Platform SDK. In general I believe that under Windows the documentation and the environment are more "polished" and clean.



Under linux are libraries and frameworks, like Mono, Qt, KDE, OpenGL. Sometimes the documentation is more scarce than under Windows.



Another aspect is the licensing model. If you will be writing software on a professional basis, then you have to be aware of the licensing issues of the linux platform.



I believe that the distribution is not an issue on this case, unless you want your software to be included in the distro...



[Antonio Feitosa]

Answer 3

Well they are too very different setups. First you have to pick a linux distribution; im going to say ubuntu as it is the most user friendly of the ones that i have used, and gets a new release in 7 days : ))) . Anyhow, you will find that ubuntu has tons of free aplications available, but they are limited to open source; they're is less support for everything. Gaming is more difficult, and anything microsoft your used to wont be availabe (office is replaced by open office) That being said, altho it can take a bit of fighting through i find that i spend almost all of my time in linux as opposed to vista. I only jump into vista for playing certain games (and it can emulate some games; i play counter strike), or the rare device that doesnt work (sony memory stick. However, ubuntu is by far the best LINUX version in terms of "Just working"

Answer 4

Well, linux is a state of mind, kinda like apple. You wanna start a fight ask which is better!!! The truth of the matter is they all have their pros and cons.

Windows - Tons of good games, tons of shareware, Lots of free support. Intuitive interface. EASY on the eyes. Security after ease of use.



Linux - Some games, tons of FREEWARE, LOTS AND LOTS of FREE Support. Faster network transfers. Faster to do things in, but you place alot of the knowledge burden on the USER. Somewhat intuitive UI. Security first, UI later. Functionality over easy on the eyes.





Vista ??? What are you crazy???!!!! I've tried and tried, still too many bugs. How long has this THING been out? MS get it togather man.

Answer 5

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