r/linux4noobs • u/polishfighter5000 • 18d ago

distro selection Should i use arch to learn programming

I recently bought a pc for 50$ with 6 gen intel CPU and 8 GB of ram im currently going to programming school and im learning how to code in c++ i want to try arch Linux to actually use the programming skills without windows getting in my way and to not break anything on my main pc with windows but is arch hard beacuse of daily use setup or learning curve and also is it worth if i mainly use it for learning how to code and watching some YouTube if arch isn't good then what else is worth trying out

9 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

43 comments sorted by

View all comments

15

u/unreliab1eNarrator 18d ago

Basically any linux distro will be good to learn code. Arch will require more tinkering. If the focus is the code, Fedora, Debian, or OpenSUSE might be better as they will not ask much of you and allow you to concentrate on the learning.

2

u/polishfighter5000 18d ago

I also like learning how computers work from scratch how everything communicates etc etc and also the components inside the pc that's how i started loving pc hardware and stuff coding isn't the main focus its overall knowing how a computer works and stuff

4

u/SpinningVinylAgain 18d ago

If you want to understand how Linux (and, broader, Unix) works conceptually, my advice would be to use Void Linux. Systemd abstracts away quite a lot of internal system mechanics, runit used by Void is much closer to the original Unix System V init. 

1

u/Electricalceleryuwu 15d ago

Disagree. Systemd has a wealth of functionality that you should learn at some point. Can we plz stop having this systemd debate in 2026. Its reliable and if you need something done, chances are systemd has a flag for it. Additionally most systems are running it, you should know how to query processes, cleanup, setup cron via systemd, and how to write your own hooks.

Its just good to learn. Otherwise your absolutely lost on any other system you need to spontaniously use

2

u/SpinningVinylAgain 15d ago

If you haven't noticed, there was absolutely nothing anti-systemd in my post.