I'm Arturs and i'm full stack web / app developer with more then 10 years experience.
I have been working in various fields, starting from cryptocurrency, finances and ending with human resources.
I wasn't into the need for WSL since it doesn't increase my productivity, at least for me but I heard some positive feedbacks since the WSL2 came out. does it worth it for general web development?
I've been using WSL since the early days and can say that WSL2 is a huge improvement. It's not perfect, but for day-to-day web development it gets the job done. I've hardly had any issues with it.
I use a Macbook for work and it's definitely a more seamless experience, but WSL2 gets the job done for me.
If you decide to try WSL2, I highly suggest Pengwin because it comes with many dev tools installed out of the box and has a custom installer to install other tools (like GUI support, language runtimes, etc.).
Author is talking about programming, not designs, so jumping onto commenting about photoshop is just not cool man,
advanced drivers, I slightly agree, but what I've seen with my system, I might have to find drivers online, but with ubuntu, they're automatically working, no need to install anything. Where I agree is with some WiFi devices, and nvidia driver (ubuntu does have nvidia driver, but it's not the same quality as windows)
also windows subsystem is shit, it's so slow, and so PITA, I've used it once in the past, it doesn't work well with symlinks for mono repo, and it's slower.
For every day programming, Ubuntu, Arch, Manjaro (any linux based OS) actually work much better than stupid windows,
I've a desktop at home, ubuntu is my primary OS, I do programming on that, and the only game I play (CS:GO) is now available for ubuntu, and you know what? it's more stable and more smooth on ubuntu. The only times I use windows is to play NFS, some battlefield.
Also for people commenting "WSL gets the job done", that's not what I'm looking for in my PC, I'm looking for myself to be the best version of me, the most productive, and no waiting for build to finish. On linux, you get significant boost when you're working. (Try deleting node_modules on windows vs linux) and you'll notice the difference.
WSL2 is leaps and bounds better than WSL. It has the same access to hardware as a native Linux installation and runs just as fast. Since WSL2 was released I've finally ditched my dual boot Linux installation.
With you 100% on WSL2. It's been running Ubuntu 18.04 very nicely for me. And I've found instructions for installing CentOS. WSL supposts installing multiple Linux distros and choosing which distro runs. WSL2 does prevent Linux access to GPU and serial ports, but MS says that's "high on their list" of improvements to be made. Still WS2 is performant and highly usable.
I'm looking for myself to be the best version of me, the most productive
That's the point, mate. The comment you replied to, said the same thing. He told about his own preference and why he chooses it. So I don't see the reason why it's "not cool".
He wrote about it, I understand, but the question again is:
Is linux good enough for every day programming
I don't see myself using photoshop, lightroom, ms office for everyday programming.
I understand they're a factor, but again, looking at what's desired (everyday programming), it doesn't make sense to compare with programming, (and everyday programmers don't need fancy photoshop tools, inkscape, gimp etc can do those just fine)
sorry to disappoint you but I needed Photoshop (and firework earlier) for PSD/HTML template integration, for ms office and specially excel we used it for projects management and collaboration since we have a microsoft 365 subscription, and the web version wans't enough for me a least
again, you're using wrong tool for the job and blaming a OS for it, PSD isn't for UI designs, heard of either of XD, Sketch, Figma? they're meant for designs, and it doesn't matter which OS they support, because in the end you can see the spec through online interface.
Where have I put someone down? I'm just expressing my thoughts, if you think Linux isn't good enough for everyday programming, state facts and try to change my mind.
I've done so, I've been using Linux for heavy programming, and is my goto os for a while now, it's a fact and I can prove how much I use it.
What's actually not cool is you trying make me look bad without shedding any facts.
"Author is talking about programming, not designs, so jumping onto commenting about photoshop is just not cool man"
This was you putting them down.
It's not that I think Linux isn't a good development environment - it obviously is, though living with it for tasks that don't directly involve writing and running code can be a bit painful. You're right - use the best tool for the job. I commented because I thought what you said was dismissive and a bit rude.
About photoahop I use it often when I have a project design integration to HTML or when designing/updating my app shreenshot on playstore and also I just got comfortable with it even with small editing :D
Such an old-guard way of thinking about things. Ask yourself, why do I think Photoshop is not a barier to entry for an OS? Why do I even need a node_modules directory, and why do I need to delete it?
Your development OS or delivery method should be influenced by the target audience, not your needs. If your app needs to run on WSL, then WSL and Windows should be your OS. This is why Docker is so popular.
Actually, I strongly disagree, ideally I should be able to work on whatever I'm comfortable with and build for whatever platform I want, take a look at golang,
And if you do stuff correctly, your CI needs to build and release stuff, so you can stay on what you're comfortable with.
If you're interested, I can write about how I get these things done
I don't understand this, for frontend work, I've never had to use PSD, because I expect UI designs on XD, Sketch or figma, and they have web interfaces to get specs and sometimes even parts of code that can be copied/pasted,
I'm sorry, but if you're using PSD to do UI design, it's like using hammer to drive screw through a wood, it can be done, but that's not what it's for.
Im working as FED longer than XD, Sketch or Figma exists, and PS was the ultimate slicing tool. And illustrator often is my go-to tool to edit vector graphics, because its just good.
How can you talk about expanding horizon when you aren't willing to use right tools for the job?
Also, if you're making ui designs, you aren't programming, you are designing, and if the title of this post was "is Linux good enough for everyday designing?" my answer would be no, just go with mac/windows, unless you can get away with just figma and need nothing else.
So again, if you use right tools for the job, and the job is building apps not specific to a platform, then yes, it's not just good enough for programming, it's better at most situation, and I standby this statement,
Now please talk about programming, don't talk about how I should now start to learn design and change my answer, that's not gonna happen
Where did I miss that?
author of a comment said "putting them down because you disagree isn't cool", what I said was, I've been using linux for quite a long time, and it's working awesome for me, (for me it's primary OS), so obviously it's good enough for every day programming (which is the title of this post btw)
and the fact I've been talking about (which I have evidence for btw,) is that I've been using linux for more than at least 6 years.
And not once have I had to say, ahh, linux sucks for programming, (but on other OSes, I've said it btw),
Now this thread is becoming a bit toxic, and I'm partly at fault which I noticed before in one of the comments.
But we're just expressing opinions and getting offended.
I'm gonna stop replying to this by just stating this:
I've used linux as only OS for about 4.5 years.
I've used MacOS for about 6 months
I've used windows for 1.5 years (in the recent years, not counting olden days)
And now I'm using both OSes, windows for gaming (NFS) and ubuntu for writing code (also CS:GO on ubuntu)
I have to use windows for my office work because it's not cross platform, and every day, I notice so many issues.
I standby this: "Yes, linux is good enough for everyday programming"
But obviously not if you're doing iOS development, or windows app development, or something similar.
But here's the thing, IF your target platform can be developed through Linux, (and you're new to linux), then you might find a bit friction at first, but once you start getting used to it, you won't feel like you're using your IDE on linux, it'll feel like you're using your IDE, unlike on windows, it's very apparent that you're using your IDE on windows. (it's that icky feeling)
docker runs faster, builds happen faster, consumes less memory and so on.
Again, the title of the article: "Is linux good enough for everyday programming"
I'm Arturs and i'm full stack web / app developer with more then 10 years experience.
I have been working in various fields, starting from cryptocurrency, finances and ending with human resources.
Yes sure..
But for example, i have laptop with one hdmi, but i wanted to attach 3'd display, so i purchased usb to hdmi: displaylink.com/products/usb-adapters
Guess what: linux drivers not working very well..
I have master mx2 mouse, guess what: No drivers on linux..
So it's small details like this..
Still if you are developer from time to time you need some advanced graphics.. it's pain in ass that you can't use it property..
But yeah, if linux would have all drivers available it would be my to go platform..
I'm using MX2 and MX3 mouse, I've had no issues, like I said, it's plug and play, sure I don't have logitech flow, but it does work,
I've 3 monitors at home and I don't even need to use those adapters, I don't see why you'd use it,
Maybe you're not buying tools correctly, if you want to have extra monitors, buy a laptop and a dock, and maybe a dock with 3 hdmi or display ports,
I think the argument about display was like, ahh, this screw driver isn't driving this nail into the wall, screw drivers are bad.
Maybe buy a docking station? While I'm typing, I'm using a docking station right now,
Also I'm sure there are plenty of usb to hdmi things which follow some open standard and linux works even without manually installing a driver (most of things are plug and play, like my mx mouse here)
Ubuntu user here, with an MX3 sitting next to my laptop after upgrading from the MX2.
In the office, I have a docking station, at home, I work with a single screen just fine, and when at remote sites etc, I have a USB3 hub with extra HDMI etc.
Sure, the drivers on the docking station & USB hub didn't want to play ball, but I grew up on a BSD command line, so it wasn't tricky to sort it. My problem there was the choice of laptop not being explicitly designed for a docking station, and I wanted a USB hub for travel (that I've used all of twice).
By & large, everything in modern Linux is plug & play, and I've managed to convince a few people to move over from MacOS just by them seeing the way I work.
I was using Linux few years ago, but yes I got tired of no Photoshop no advanced drivers for specific hardware..
So at the end of the day switched back to windows 10..
Since windows 10 has windows subsystem feature I feel like I'm in Linux server with command line..
So my os to go is Windows for now...
use latest version and get best distro depends on your work... Linux is the greatest OS of all time...
I'm able to run Windows and even macOS VMs on Linux which allow me to use Photoshop.
I wasn't into the need for WSL since it doesn't increase my productivity, at least for me but I heard some positive feedbacks since the WSL2 came out. does it worth it for general web development?
I've been using WSL since the early days and can say that WSL2 is a huge improvement. It's not perfect, but for day-to-day web development it gets the job done. I've hardly had any issues with it.
I use a Macbook for work and it's definitely a more seamless experience, but WSL2 gets the job done for me.
If you decide to try WSL2, I highly suggest Pengwin because it comes with many dev tools installed out of the box and has a custom installer to install other tools (like GUI support, language runtimes, etc.).
I really want to upgrade to WSL2, but apparently there's a known memory leak issue, so I'm reluctant. WSL1 is so slow >:|
Using a windows VM from Linux does it 😋
Same bro
Author is talking about programming, not designs, so jumping onto commenting about photoshop is just not cool man,
advanced drivers, I slightly agree, but what I've seen with my system, I might have to find drivers online, but with ubuntu, they're automatically working, no need to install anything. Where I agree is with some WiFi devices, and nvidia driver (ubuntu does have nvidia driver, but it's not the same quality as windows)
also windows subsystem is shit, it's so slow, and so PITA, I've used it once in the past, it doesn't work well with symlinks for mono repo, and it's slower.
For every day programming, Ubuntu, Arch, Manjaro (any linux based OS) actually work much better than stupid windows,
I've a desktop at home, ubuntu is my primary OS, I do programming on that, and the only game I play (CS:GO) is now available for ubuntu, and you know what? it's more stable and more smooth on ubuntu. The only times I use windows is to play NFS, some battlefield.
Also for people commenting "WSL gets the job done", that's not what I'm looking for in my PC, I'm looking for myself to be the best version of me, the most productive, and no waiting for build to finish. On linux, you get significant boost when you're working. (Try deleting node_modules on windows vs linux) and you'll notice the difference.
WSL2 is leaps and bounds better than WSL. It has the same access to hardware as a native Linux installation and runs just as fast. Since WSL2 was released I've finally ditched my dual boot Linux installation.
With you 100% on WSL2. It's been running Ubuntu 18.04 very nicely for me. And I've found instructions for installing CentOS. WSL supposts installing multiple Linux distros and choosing which distro runs. WSL2 does prevent Linux access to GPU and serial ports, but MS says that's "high on their list" of improvements to be made. Still WS2 is performant and highly usable.
GPU access is available in the latest Windows Insider builds now
I'm bored of EEE strategies of Windows, and WSL is one more of them. So if I will continue using GNU/Linux for GNU/Linux applications
That's the point, mate. The comment you replied to, said the same thing. He told about his own preference and why he chooses it. So I don't see the reason why it's "not cool".
Author wrote about Photoshop, and Lightroom, and MS Office, not just about programming.
He wrote about it, I understand, but the question again is:
I don't see myself using photoshop, lightroom, ms office for everyday programming.
I understand they're a factor, but again, looking at what's desired (everyday programming), it doesn't make sense to compare with programming, (and everyday programmers don't need fancy photoshop tools, inkscape, gimp etc can do those just fine)
sorry to disappoint you but I needed Photoshop (and firework earlier) for PSD/HTML template integration, for ms office and specially excel we used it for projects management and collaboration since we have a microsoft 365 subscription, and the web version wans't enough for me a least
again, you're using wrong tool for the job and blaming a OS for it, PSD isn't for UI designs, heard of either of XD, Sketch, Figma? they're meant for designs, and it doesn't matter which OS they support, because in the end you can see the spec through online interface.
What's "not cool" is putting someone down because you disagree with them.
Where have I put someone down? I'm just expressing my thoughts, if you think Linux isn't good enough for everyday programming, state facts and try to change my mind.
I've done so, I've been using Linux for heavy programming, and is my goto os for a while now, it's a fact and I can prove how much I use it.
What's actually not cool is you trying make me look bad without shedding any facts.
"Author is talking about programming, not designs, so jumping onto commenting about photoshop is just not cool man"
This was you putting them down.
It's not that I think Linux isn't a good development environment - it obviously is, though living with it for tasks that don't directly involve writing and running code can be a bit painful. You're right - use the best tool for the job. I commented because I thought what you said was dismissive and a bit rude.
Actually re-reading it, yes, I hear it too, I'm sorry about it. Thanks for pointing it out :)
About photoahop I use it often when I have a project design integration to HTML or when designing/updating my app shreenshot on playstore and also I just got comfortable with it even with small editing :D
If you need photoshop then it's got nothing to do with the OS, it's got everything do do with whichever platform Adobe decides to support.
I'm yet to see what photoshop does that gimp can't. But you're into photoshop, then Linux is probably not for you.
For hardcore programming, assuming its not dependent on MS stack, Linux is second to none.
Such an old-guard way of thinking about things. Ask yourself, why do I think Photoshop is not a barier to entry for an OS? Why do I even need a node_modules directory, and why do I need to delete it?
Your development OS or delivery method should be influenced by the target audience, not your needs. If your app needs to run on WSL, then WSL and Windows should be your OS. This is why Docker is so popular.
Actually, I strongly disagree, ideally I should be able to work on whatever I'm comfortable with and build for whatever platform I want, take a look at golang,
And if you do stuff correctly, your CI needs to build and release stuff, so you can stay on what you're comfortable with.
If you're interested, I can write about how I get these things done
Mixing hackintosh and its kext nightmare into mac os discussion is not fair either, but here we are ;)
Im doing some frontend dev work and i cant go by without PS/Illustrator.
I don't understand this, for frontend work, I've never had to use PSD, because I expect UI designs on XD, Sketch or figma, and they have web interfaces to get specs and sometimes even parts of code that can be copied/pasted,
I'm sorry, but if you're using PSD to do UI design, it's like using hammer to drive screw through a wood, it can be done, but that's not what it's for.
Well, you should expand your horizons then.
Im working as FED longer than XD, Sketch or Figma exists, and PS was the ultimate slicing tool. And illustrator often is my go-to tool to edit vector graphics, because its just good.
How can you talk about expanding horizon when you aren't willing to use right tools for the job?
Also, if you're making ui designs, you aren't programming, you are designing, and if the title of this post was "is Linux good enough for everyday designing?" my answer would be no, just go with mac/windows, unless you can get away with just figma and need nothing else.
So again, if you use right tools for the job, and the job is building apps not specific to a platform, then yes, it's not just good enough for programming, it's better at most situation, and I standby this statement,
Now please talk about programming, don't talk about how I should now start to learn design and change my answer, that's not gonna happen
So now know better whats right tool for MY job? ;-) This discussion is over. Have a nice career.
Yeah, and even if I see a carpenter trying to drive a screw with a hammer, I'd do the same, I'd just assume he's an inexperienced carpenter,
Psd isn't right tool for design, and it's certainly not a tool for programming, unless you happen to code something related to psd.
One day you will discover the difference between fact and opinion. This day will be huge for you, cherish it ;)
Where did I miss that?
author of a comment said "putting them down because you disagree isn't cool", what I said was, I've been using linux for quite a long time, and it's working awesome for me, (for me it's primary OS), so obviously it's good enough for every day programming (which is the title of this post btw)
and the fact I've been talking about (which I have evidence for btw,) is that I've been using linux for more than at least 6 years.
And not once have I had to say, ahh, linux sucks for programming, (but on other OSes, I've said it btw),
Now this thread is becoming a bit toxic, and I'm partly at fault which I noticed before in one of the comments.
But we're just expressing opinions and getting offended.
I'm gonna stop replying to this by just stating this:
And now I'm using both OSes, windows for gaming (NFS) and ubuntu for writing code (also CS:GO on ubuntu)
I have to use windows for my office work because it's not cross platform, and every day, I notice so many issues.
I standby this: "Yes, linux is good enough for everyday programming"
But obviously not if you're doing iOS development, or windows app development, or something similar.
But here's the thing, IF your target platform can be developed through Linux, (and you're new to linux), then you might find a bit friction at first, but once you start getting used to it, you won't feel like you're using your IDE on linux, it'll feel like you're using your IDE, unlike on windows, it's very apparent that you're using your IDE on windows. (it's that icky feeling)
docker runs faster, builds happen faster, consumes less memory and so on.
Again, the title of the article: "Is linux good enough for everyday programming"
I say yes
Yes sure..
But for example, i have laptop with one hdmi, but i wanted to attach 3'd display, so i purchased usb to hdmi: displaylink.com/products/usb-adapters
Guess what: linux drivers not working very well..
I have master mx2 mouse, guess what: No drivers on linux..
So it's small details like this..
Still if you are developer from time to time you need some advanced graphics.. it's pain in ass that you can't use it property..
But yeah, if linux would have all drivers available it would be my to go platform..
I'm using MX2 and MX3 mouse, I've had no issues, like I said, it's plug and play, sure I don't have logitech flow, but it does work,
I've 3 monitors at home and I don't even need to use those adapters, I don't see why you'd use it,
Maybe you're not buying tools correctly, if you want to have extra monitors, buy a laptop and a dock, and maybe a dock with 3 hdmi or display ports,
I think the argument about display was like, ahh, this screw driver isn't driving this nail into the wall, screw drivers are bad.
Maybe buy a docking station? While I'm typing, I'm using a docking station right now,
Also I'm sure there are plenty of usb to hdmi things which follow some open standard and linux works even without manually installing a driver (most of things are plug and play, like my mx mouse here)
Ubuntu user here, with an MX3 sitting next to my laptop after upgrading from the MX2.
In the office, I have a docking station, at home, I work with a single screen just fine, and when at remote sites etc, I have a USB3 hub with extra HDMI etc.
Sure, the drivers on the docking station & USB hub didn't want to play ball, but I grew up on a BSD command line, so it wasn't tricky to sort it. My problem there was the choice of laptop not being explicitly designed for a docking station, and I wanted a USB hub for travel (that I've used all of twice).
By & large, everything in modern Linux is plug & play, and I've managed to convince a few people to move over from MacOS just by them seeing the way I work.
Krita, Inkscape, Gimp, who needs Photoshop anymore except for graphic artists?
Precisely this. And with modern web design, it's vector graphics we need, not bitmaps.
Some of the things we used to use Photoshop for can be done with CSS3, too.
The last time I used Windows was XP, and I haven't needed it since. If you miss the UI, use the Plasma or Cinnamon desktop.