Thread: Which distro of linux to get for programming?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    9

    Question Which distro of linux to get for programming?

    Hi,

    I would like to install Linux under VMWare and am looking for a distro I can use for programming.

    Now, to be upfront - I'm a game programmer and am on a tight schedule. I've had bad experiences with RedHat and basically have to state that I'm not going to spend more than 2 or 3 hours getting this to work, plus the download time. If it doesn't install automatically, run the first time with all my hardware, and come with an integrated, modern, GUI ide with breakpoints, watches, and everything else I'm not going to use it.

    So with that in mind is there which distro can do what I need?

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Obsessed with C chrismiceli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    501
    Well my first recommendation Gentoo is out, because you are not willing to learn how to configure linux, just hope it all works out of the box. So I will go with the easiest to install, but also my least favorite, mandrake. Also, if you want to use linux, it would be very beneficial to you to actually install it step by step like you have to with gentoo. You learn a lot about how linux works.
    Help populate a c/c++ help irc channel
    server: irc://irc.efnet.net
    channel: #c

  3. #3
    pronounced 'fib' FillYourBrain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Posts
    2,297
    honestly, you don't sound like a linux kinda guy. You can't expect a "modern" IDE all the time as a programmer.
    "You are stupid! You are stupid! Oh, and don't forget, you are STUPID!" - Dexter

  4. #4
    noob lepricaun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    26
    every distro is good, try knoppix if you don't wish to learn linux itself, it is a linux-live cd, it runs completely from cd...
    The path of access leads to the tower of wisdom...
    __________________________________________________ ___________________

    Code:
    
    #include <stdio.h>
    
    int main(void)
    {
            const char buf[17]="Hello everybody!";
    	printf("%s\n",buf);
            return 0;
    }
    

  5. #5
    Comment your source code! Lynux-Penguin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Posts
    533
    no, don't get linux
    if you don't have patience and understanding toward it then no, stick to windows. You SHOULD NOT GET ANY LINUX DISTRO. (just to make it more clear)
    If you get enough time to learn linux and take your time with it then get RedHat, it's especially good for newbies. You may not be a newbie but guru's and newbies agree that RedHat is really good overall.
    Essentially any linux will work good for programming, all it sounds like to me is you're looking for a POSIX environment and don't want to hastle with linux. If that's the case maybe you should look into CYGWIN which runs on Windows and emulates a POSIX environment.
    Asking the right question is sometimes more important than knowing the answer.
    Please read the FAQ
    C Reference Card (A MUST!)
    Pointers and Memory
    The Essentials
    CString lib

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    17
    Just popping in. For what reason would you need to use a unix-based operating system? It appears to me, that it would be of no use to you. It takes time to learn the complexities and nuances of a *nix distribution. Over time, and frustrated late night attempts of getting that one piece of hardware to work, things start clicking - you get used to it. Only then do you understand the true beauty of open-source.

    Until you find the time to appropriately meet with Mr. Tux - I reccomend you just stick with your windows machine.

  7. #7
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,660
    > Just popping in.
    Yeah, and you just bumped a thread as well.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Which Linux Distro?
    By CreatedByShadow in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 07-30-2007, 10:28 AM
  2. Linux distro advice
    By Decrypt in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 08-16-2006, 10:42 AM
  3. Looking for a new distro (Linux) to use, any suggestions?
    By Maragato in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 11-29-2004, 01:44 PM
  4. Linux distro
    By c++.prog.newbie in forum Linux Programming
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 01-22-2004, 01:58 AM
  5. Which Linux distro is better ?
    By pritesh in forum Linux Programming
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 07-10-2002, 07:17 AM