Top 8 Linux Distros for Developers & Why They’re Essential

Choosing the ideal Linux distribution for development hinges on several critical factors, including your specific toolkit, preferred workflow, and the target platform for your applications. While many modern distributions serve general purposes, certain ones stand out by offering superior stability, flexibility, and a rich ecosystem of compilers, libraries, and specialized tools. The right Linux distro depends on your tools, workflow, and target platform. For professionals looking to leverage the open-source operating system, here are eight excellent choices tailored to various development needs.

Pop!OS is engineered for STEM and creative professionals who use their computers for discovery and innovation. Its desktop environment, now the Rust-based COSMIC Desktop, is streamlined for efficient workflow and organization. A key feature is the ability to customize navigation primarily through the keyboard, creating a highly efficient interface. With on-demand tiling, you can quickly switch between automatic and manual window management. Another significant advantage is that Pop!OS comes pre-installed on System76 hardware, ensuring robust performance for compiling and testing applications. It also provides access to a wide array of apps for fields like machine learning, engineering, and media production. You can download and install it for free.

Debian earns its place as a foundational distribution, often considered the origin of many Ubuntu-based systems. Its primary strengths are legendary stability and an enormous repository of open-source software. If you plan to develop for Ubuntu or similar environments, using Debian provides a rock-solid foundation with extensive documentation. It is one of the oldest and most reliable operating systems available, making it a trusted platform for development work where consistency is paramount. Debian can be downloaded and installed at no cost.

Fedora Workstation is a favorite among developers for its impressive speed and comprehensive resources. The distribution performs like a lightweight OS but without sacrificing a full-featured user interface. It includes a detailed Developer Guide covering environments, code style, frameworks, tools, and databases. The Fedora Developer Portal also offers a community space for sharing knowledge. Furthermore, Fedora offers various “spins” with different desktop environments, ensuring you can develop for or with your preferred interface, whether it’s GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, or others. It is available as a free download.

Arch Linux is for developers who demand total control over their operating system. Its installation process, while challenging, provides a deep understanding of Linux internals. Arch uses a rolling-release model, delivering the latest kernel and software. A central component is the Arch User Repository (AUR), a community-driven repository with nearly 100,000 packages. Using AUR and PKGBUILD, developers can compile and install software from source. This distribution also supports advanced file systems like BTRFS, which allows for easy system rollbacks. Arch Linux is free to download and install.

Raspberry Pi OS is the official operating system for Raspberry Pi devices, making it the go-to choice for DIY developers and IoT projects. Used in over 90 percent of Raspberry Pi endeavors, it features the PIXEL desktop based on LXDE and uses the Wayland graphics server. For anyone creating applications for gadgets, embedded systems, or inventive hardware projects, this OS provides the ideal tailored environment. It is freely available for download.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) dominates the enterprise business space, making it a crucial platform for developers targeting large organizations. While it contains some proprietary software and is tightly controlled by Red Hat, its widespread enterprise adoption is a major advantage. Developers can apply for a no-cost Red Hat developer license, gaining access to RHEL and associated tools. Enterprise and DIY developers benefit from different development ecosystems. For those focused on corporate environments, familiarity with RHEL is invaluable.

Rocky Linux serves as an excellent open-source, community-driven alternative to RHEL, as it is a 1:1 rebuild of its sources. It allows developers to create enterprise-ready applications on a free, stable platform. You can start with the community version and potentially migrate to the commercially backed option from CIQ if needed. Given its direct lineage from RHEL, Rocky Linux offers a serious enterprise computing experience with stability and extensive possibilities, all without cost.

Ubuntu remains one of the most popular Linux distributions globally and is a strong, versatile choice for developers. Its widespread use and the fact that hundreds of other distributions are based on it mean an application running well on Ubuntu will likely work on many other systems. Ubuntu boasts a massive community for support, and its repositories are packed with essential development tools. For a quick start, installing the `build-essential` package is recommended. Developers might also consider packaging applications as Snaps, making them installable on any distribution that supports Canonical’s universal package manager.

(Source: ZDNET)