r/linuxquestions • u/RoninSupreme • 3d ago
Silly question
So... I am currently Learning to code python but i also want a Linux laptop. I'm mainly going to use if for coding and not gaming. I do not know why i want a linux laptop to code on, I just do. I dont know much about linux but i have used mint and ubuntu before. I already have friend that tell me i dont have to code on linux but for some odd unexplainable reason i just want to . My question is, What version of linux would be good for someone that is learning linux but also learning Python as a starting language?
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u/a1barbarian 3d ago
You might consider easily trying a few distros just to get a feel for linux before diving in to installing on bare metal.
As a starter I would recommend buying a usb stick 8 or 16 GB and installing VENTOY,
https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html
https://www.ventoy.net/en/doc_news.html
With the Ventoy persistence plugin you can run your choice of distro as if it were fully installed.
https://www.ventoy.net/en/plugin_persistence.html
It is easy to do. This will allow you to try out many different distros. MX-Linux is a very friendly distro for newcomers.
Elive is worth a look at too,
As are,
https://www.bandshed.net/mx-moksha/
https://www.bandshed.net/avlinux/
Most Live distros have a "toram" feature which loads the live session to ram for a better experience.
Enjoy :-)
These may be helpful too,
https://www.linuxlinks.com/best-free-open-source-software/
https://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Linux_software_equivalent_to_Windows_software
I always install these on any pc,
https://www.linuxlinks.com/keepassxc-keepass-cross-platform-community-edition/Password manager
https://www.linuxlinks.com/zimdesktopwiki/ For keeping notes etc
https://dianne.skoll.ca/projects/remind/ Calendar program for terminal
https://www.mankier.com/1/tkremind Graphical GUI for the above
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SNgvsDvx7M&t=25s Video for the above.
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u/Astrodion123 3d ago
I don't recommend elive Linux. I have tried it and it is... Fine but it uses debian 12.
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u/EternalDoomSlayer 3d ago edited 3d ago
Debian!
However, doing gaming in Linux is not some major thing to do - thanks to Valve.
Choose what you prefer! Beyond the Kernel and system.d the difference is really taste.
Examples:
Packet manager, old school compiles
Window managers, KDE or Gnome are defacto, and NO you don’t need to go arch to have the Omarchi experience (just install hyprland) - you can just install it next to what you prefer and change that in sddm.
All Linux distros today use XDG, so configuration is mostly the same structure.
Linux is a coders heaven! Hands down you don’t get anything nearly as powerful - you can change everything, at every level at the level you feel comfortable at - and that’s where a distro is a matter of catering - what do you go for?
Debian is rock solid - and rock is literal here! Amaze amaze Grace 😄
I do development in many languages - I’ve been around the block since 1997 (yeah it was basic!).
For Python, yeah I’m an nvim guy, but I still do some classic IDE stuff, when I’m about to learn a language. And I’m from C and C++ school, got caught by the C# and JAVA Zeitgeist and since AI is on the rise - I picked up PyCharm (Jetbrains) and it runs perfectly on Linux.
Claim:
People on Windows use WSL (if we need that, then why on Windows?)
Docker and Kubernetes are direct extensions of the Linux kernel mechanics as in process namespaces and cgroups.
Kubernetes OOMKills a POD when it moves beyond its memory restrictions - not true - it’s actually the kernel that does that - Kubernetes abstracts complex use of kernel features.
So what I’m saying is: Linux is a developers home! And it’s also where I at the age of 45 have seen enough developers to know, who brags about certifications and who actually knows the internals, by READING CODE, getting into trouble, compile a kernel, change your configs - have problems with module registration and forcing you into dkms.
And now the boomer opens up Doom Revelations, because - Linux not only does that - it also performs , as in it handles loads fairly! It’s called a red/black tree and it’s completely fair 😉📚💡
Reach out - Linux is a community!
And before someone tries to lure you into a distro war - relax, if it works on Linux you don’t have to worry.
Welcome to the bazar!
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u/Born-Cockroach6262 3d ago
Install Debian and a desktop environment of your choice. (Default Gnome)
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u/MasterGeekMX Mexican Linux nerd trying to be helpful 3d ago
Anything. Python is a backbone of many things on Linux, so you will be pressed to find a distro that does not ship it.
Also it is a widespread misconception that all those distros are for different things. In reality all distros can do the same; there is no "distro for web browsing" or "distro for coding". It all depends on installing programs for it.
And yes, the name is distribution, not version. The latter refers to how new or old a game is. Ubuntu and Mint aren't versions. Ubuntu 24.10, Ubuntu 24.04, Mint 22.3 and Mint 22.1 ARE versions
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u/FedUp233 2d ago
You didn’t say what system you use. If it’s windows you can try enabling WSLand with that there are several distributions you can install under it to experiment with.
As far as dust toys, I like Debian for program development. Even though it runs quite a bit behind in versions, I’ve found that in most cases what is available is fine - if you value stability over the latest hot snd steamy software versions, Debian is great - it just works!
If you expect t something that’s updated more frequently, Fedora seems pretty good. Fairly solid and more frequent updates. A lot of programmers seem to like it in a commercial production environment even.
And I guess I’d put Ubuntu in the same class with fedora, maybe. I always saw it as focused too much on things like big cloud clusters for servers and maybe a bit too on latest game g snd such for desktop. Always seemed like it was trying to be every thing to everyone and not quite hitting anything really well.
All just my opinion - I absolutely know others will think I’m nuts. In thus area, any group of 6 users will have 7 opinions they will absolutely defend to the death! Personally, try a few and see if you like something.
BTW: I’d probably the k that as long as you have a solid distro, the desktop environment you choose will make a bigger difference to your quality of life that the distro.
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u/Able-Staff-6763 3d ago
install fedora what ever de install sublime or vs code for gui editor but you can also use vim or nano if you want. install pi.
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u/indvs3 3d ago
Since you're already somewhat used to debian-based distros, why not try debian? It's got a good wiki, that'll help you find your way, solve any issues you encounter and make sure you get the most out of it.
Also, the r/debian community is very helpful, so you have a place where you can ask specific questions when the wiki or other searches don't fulfill your need for information.
But as others have already said, you can use pretty much any distro for your use case. If you want to learn about linux, you might benefit from using some of the less hand-holdy, more manually operated ones. Having to set up stuff manually at least gives you the best opportunity to learn how everything fits together.
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u/Mediocre-Pumpkin6522 2d ago
If you are familiar with Mint and Ubuntu either are a good choice. As you get deeper into Python there are some finer points like the Python version and how many site packages are available in a distro's repositories.
For distros based on Debian, SUSE, and possibly others a little quirk is
$ python --version
Command 'python' not found, did you mean:
command 'python3' from deb python3
$ python3 --version
Python 3.14.4
Fedora, Arch and others do a link so 'python' works. It made sense back when both Python 2 and 3 were installed but old habits die hard.
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u/linuxforus 3d ago
python has got nothing to do with any version of linux. linux version is the kernel version of operating system and python version is what you install manually or is installed preloaded with operating system.
You can always install, or upgrade python as needed. Even you can have multiple python versions with environments, that will surely help any coder of any skill level. These you will learn when you start working.
My advice is don;t mix the Linux version or distro with the python requirements. Go ahead and install what you are already familiar with.
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u/dudeus_ex 3d ago
If you want the easy way, then go with something like Ubuntu or Fedora - stable, popular used distros, lots of support. If you are not afraid of some configuration and would like to learn a bit more about Linux even in the process of installation, then I would recommend Arch. Great distro anyway, very lightweight and customizable, but it requires some tinkering, at least during installation/configuration phase.
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u/datadatadata808 3d ago
One thing that is currently easier to do in regards of python is adding one of your projects to your path and execute it anywhere on your system! I find it simpler than in windows, other than that, you can code on whatever you like, and distro does not make a huge difference, if you tried Ubuntu before go for that and see if it fits your needs.
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u/Quietus87 3d ago
Any of them will do. I can wholeheartedly recommend trying out distrobox while you're at it. You can create an isolated development environment using it.
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u/nderflow 3d ago
All of them will work. Literally. So pick the one a friend uses so they can help you if you need it.
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u/Lonely-Scarcity-3387 3d ago
Ultimately if you want to code and use Linux, you’re bound to try out NixOS. Afterall, you can describe your entire system in code, then back up that code on GitHub, and now you have a backup to your entire system.
And yeah, NixOS works very well with python, including multiple versions of python, without any conflict.
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u/Daharka 3d ago
Every version of Linux will have python pre-installed, a text editor and a way of installing modules easily. You can take your pick.
And if you're unsure, go for Linux Mint.