Why I prefer programming on Linux

[m0skit0]

I think this article pretty much resumes what I think about programming on Windows vs programming on Linux.

http://games.greggman.com/game/why-is-windows-so-slow/

What are your thoughts (keep flaming off)?

Advertising

[Xian Nox]

I agree with it, but there's one thing that is incorrect:

other apps I use (Photoshop, Maya, 3DSMax) that don’t exist on Linux

Maya is written with Qt iirc and there is a Linux version available.

From my own experience, mercurial on Windows is a pain in the ***. Makefiles are much easier to use on Linux too, as are shell scripts. There are also tons of easily accessible libraries that anyone can get and use. (I'm referring to the configuration tools supplied by most distributions here, like YaST on openSUSE that can automatically download,install and, if necessary, configure them for you.)
Not exactly related to programming, but ftp/sftp are much better than any Windows GUI FTP client. I have been using them, combined with yakuake to update contents on my project website, and it is much faster and easier. (And you get the "wth is he doing" effect if others are watching you).

Advertising

[m0skit0]

I agree with it, but there's one thing that is incorrect

IIRC he states that he doesn't know about it

"wth is he doing" effect

Pretty much common. Even with other "supposed" programmers/computer engineers watching you...

[JJS]

Linux is indeed very fast with file I/O compared to Windows. Also gcc for Windows is noticably slower when compiling than the Linux version. Visual Studio is in the middle speedwise.

While turn-around time is important, it is still only one part of the development process. Even the article mentions that VS debugging is comfortable and I must agree with that.

One thing that Linux users tend to forget is that Windows has a command line too and many *x command line utilities are in fact available for Windows.

[m0skit0]

One thing that Linux users tend to forget is that Windows has a command line too and many *x command line utilities are in fact available for Windows.

I never forget that. That's why most of my work colleagues look me strange: because I use (extensively) Windows command line (which is logical from a guy that uses Linux console every now and then). But you should agree that, compared to ANY Linux shell interpreter (bash, csh, ksh...), Window's shell sucks VERY hard. Also those supposed *IX utilities are modified versions, and either they don't have the same syntax or they behave slightly different (if they're not direct ports). This is a great Microsoft effort using the "embrace, extend and extinguish" technique.

[JJS]

I fully agree that the Windows command line sucks, no doubt about that.

[DBZo07]

what about UNIX, Mac?

[m0skit0]

Mac = UNIX. UNIX behaves quite similarly to Linux (well, it's actually the opposite...), so I expect close performance.

[DBZo07]

Mac = UNIX. UNIX behaves quite similarly to Linux (well, it's actually the opposite...), so I expect close performance.

Why its is hard to develop Applications for Mac than on Windows?
Android is Linux based right? Looking at the growth, do u think Android OS can replace Windows?

[Nickolas]

I am working on a Mac daily and I believe that OSX is good for working within applications, but not programming. I usually run Maya, Unity3D, Photoshop and Firefox (and maybe MonoDevelop) side by side and it's still performing better than windows. But programming on a Mac and for a Mac is a nightmare for VS users.