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I am a programmer but have only used Windows as the development environment till now. I work on Java. I wanted to start developing on Linux and would like to know where to start. More specifically:

  • Which Linux to install on my machine?
  • What are the basic requirements that I would need to know before I insert the Linux CD in my PC?
  • Which packages do I need to install so that I don't have to wait for it to install while first access? I mean like JDK/ MP3 Player/ Open Office/ GCC, etc
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which distribution should you use? it depends on how much you want to mess around. personally i prefer to introduce people to debian. my whole immediate family uses it now, and that's what they use. so i would recommend something debian-based, for sure. for instance, ubuntu is all right, and it's based on debian. as i said, i prefer plain 'ol debian. – ixtmixilix Feb 5 '12 at 12:52
i think I will go with Ubuntu for now. Even some of my friends recommended it – MozenRath Feb 5 '12 at 18:12
command language systematic, kernigan ritchi pike book "unix good environment" (noone whom I know haven't dealt with end-chapter tasks(problems or how to say english задания), . As knowledge depends on every command it's very importang to know the file structure basics, and specifically on your system – Xsi Nov 25 '12 at 20:21

closed as not a real question by Mat, Chris Down, Michael Mrozek♦ Feb 5 '12 at 18:39

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

Here:

  1. Check Moving from Windows to Linux: Easy Steps and Resources. It's fairly new but quite good.

  2. I would say if you work on Java and are new to Linux, get Ubuntu (with Unity, GNOME or KDE or even XFCE). It's user friendly, has a huge user base and IMHO its the ideal Linux to shift from Windows to Linux. You may opt for any Linux. Finally, if you use the Terminal, everything is almost the same. One major difference between the BSD camp, Debian/Ubuntu camp and Fedora/ScientificLinux camp is the way packages are handled. Before I knew it, I was a fan of the apt-get mode and it's hard for me to shift now. But that's a personal preference. If you want a real system, which is absolutely not dumbed down, you may want Arch Linux, Gentoo or FreeBSD. The options are virtually endless. You can go to distrowatch.com to find out relative properties of different *NIXs.

  3. I don't think there are any special requirements. If you can run Windows XP/7, Ubuntu will run just as well. (Maybe better). This might take some tweaking but it's a one time investment.

  4. I don't understand your question. Are you asking about the "must-haves" of Linux? If you do choose Ubuntu, then ubuntu-restricted-extras is a "must-have" and a couple of others. Please clarify your question and I'll try to fill in.

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ok will edit my question – MozenRath Feb 5 '12 at 7:24
Considering your edit, I can't help but to recommend distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint – Nunoxic Feb 5 '12 at 7:28
whoa! thats a huge list! – MozenRath Feb 5 '12 at 7:42
What list? It is one distribution with many versions. Just download the latest one and give it a drive. – Nunoxic Feb 5 '12 at 9:14
No way is ubuntu-restricted-extras, or any other proprietary software a "must-have". If anything I would recommend forcibly exorcising these from usage. – Chris Down Feb 5 '12 at 12:40
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