linux version and free bsb

[code2d]

I have a question that is haunting me. It is will all Linux programs works on all recent versions of Linux? Will all recent Linux programs work on the free bsb? I will be trying to get around to installing Linux and free bsb because I have used all version of windows to date and 2 versions, new and old of the mac operating system. BUT I HAVE NEVER USED LINUS BEFORE!!! I should be shot as a programmer.

[Salem]

bsb?
Surely that's BSD

> It is will all Linux programs works on all recent versions of Linux?
If they're statically linked, there should be no problems.
Likewise, if you stick to the 'C' and POSIX APIs, these should never be a problem either.

Using older versions of some less well known shared libraries are where you're most likely to come unstuck.

[code2d]

sorry BSD. I always make that mistake. So the answer is yes. I will have to try Linux. But what version is best for a programmer?

[Salem]

Version of Linux?

There is is an "infinite" choice of distributions - http://distrowatch.com/ - which package up the Linux operating system itself with a whole bunch of other free applications and tools.

First thing is, do you have a spare machine / spare partition to install it on?
If not, the KNOPPIX distro runs entirely from CD/DVD, though I don't know without looking whether that comes with the development tools like gcc.

Beyond that, it's anyone's guess (or opinion) as to which one to get, there's no shortage of advocates for Suse, Fedora, Debian, Slackware .....

If you have a good connection and a CD/DVD writer, then download a few different ISO images and try each one out for a few hours on a separate machine.

[divineleft]

i recommend gentoo

[psychopath]

Originally Posted by Salem

If not, the KNOPPIX distro runs entirely from CD/DVD, though I don't know without looking whether that comes with the development tools like gcc.

It's been a while since I've used KNOPPIX for anything other than data rescue, but I'm pretty sure it has gcc installed. Actually, I seem to recall it having KDevelop installed aswell.

[Kennedy]

Slackware 10 is great, but I'd do Slackware 11.0.

Keep in mind that Linux is not an operating SYSTEM. It is merely a kernel. So, you actually mean you want to know which version of GNU/Linux should you choose. If you want to get down and dirty with the kernel and all it's fixings, choose Slackware. All of the setup files in SW are flat text. With Suse, Debian, Red Hat, and even Mandrake, I had a hard time making changes to the OS (as I am want to do) to suite my needs.

I'd really recommend that you install several versions (one at a time) and see which one you like best.

EDIT: Hmm, I see I didn't read Salem's answer too closely before I posted. . .

[code2d]

The problem is that I do have a spare pc but it is always in use by others so I would very much anger them if I started messing with the pc. Well that just means I need one more PC.

I already downloaded Ubuntu and Gentoo live CD about 2 months ago but I never got around to installing Ubuntu. I have Gentoo live CD for the use of possible data recovery but also have never used it either.

I'd really recommend that you install several versions (one at a time) and see which one you like best.

This seems like a good idea. Many programmer seem to use Fedora. Any reason why?

[divineleft]

fedora isn't bad, but it's rpm based and if i were you, i would stay away from those.

gentoo is source-based meaning your computer builds all of the packages to be best suited for your computer. while this means that there can be some long compile times, it also gives you the opportunity to fix any problems that arise. one of the most annoying things with a binary based distro was that you were helpless when a package doesn't work because it's binary. with gentoo you can overlay any version of any package. it's given me a large understanding of what linux is and it certainly isn't for someone who doesn't have much time on their hands.

If you do go binary, I would recommend arch linux. the community is good and the package manager/packages are very good.

[code2d]

If I remember properly RPM is old and is accordingly doomed. What is a good boot loader though so I can choose which os to boot when I go and try installing linux???

[laserlight]

Grub?

[dwks]

Grub works really well. It comes with Debian and MEPIS (a spin-off of Knoppix). I use it to multiboot Debian and Windows XP on the same computer.

It was a bit of a pain to configure with MEPIS (but that version was really old), and with Debian it automatically detected Windows XP. I didn't have to do any configuration of grub at all.

[code2d]

Thanks very much my fellow Canadian dwks and laserlight. Does grub have a Gui or is it a DOS prompt?

[laserlight]

From what I understand, some distributions provide a graphical frontend to GRUB. I think GRUB by itself does not have a GUI, though I am not too sure as I am an occasional Linux user.

[linucksrox]

I have tried some of the latest popular distros (SUSE, Debian, Ubuntu, Slackware) but I have been the most satisfied with Fedora Core 6 for some reason. I seem to have the least trouble getting everything to work, and for me the only problem is that I can't get my sound configured to get low latency. But that's probably just because I haven't put in enough time to figure it out. But I definitely recommend FC6, although you may like another distro way more.
And yes, GRUB comes with FC6 and it is graphical. It recognizes Windows XP without any configuration (although it names it "other" by default). My advice is to partition your drive first (GParted LiveCD is completely amazing by the way), leave an open partition for linux, and then let the Fedora Core installer section off that partition how it wants.