As a programmer who started out on Windows 10 and 11, I initially thought I had everything I needed. But as I got further into software development I started noticing limitations that were holding me back. Between performance lags and compatibility problems, Windows began to feel like more of a hindrance than a help, especially on the more complex projects.
Making the switch
Frustrated, I started experimenting with Linux distributions. Over the past three years I have worked with several, including Kali Linux, Debian, Garuda Linux, and now Ubuntu. It was not a smooth run. I had a lot of issues early on, and my lack of knowledge led to plenty of failures. Those turned out to be the valuable part. It became clear how essential Linux is for programmers, and especially for anyone working in DevOps.
What actually improved
After a few years of practice I can say Linux is much easier for programming work than Windows was for me. Four things account for most of it:
- Security. Linux is inherently more secure, with better protection against malware, and regular updates keep it a safe environment to develop in.
- Performance. It is lightweight and does not weigh the system down with unnecessary processes, which shows up as faster compile times and quicker execution.
- GPU support for ML libraries. As someone who dabbles in machine learning, I found GPU support for libraries like TensorFlow far more straightforward on Linux. On Windows it can be a nightmare of compatibility issues and driver problems.
- Customization and control. You can shape every part of the environment, including how the system runs, what gets installed, and how resources are allocated.
I still use Windows
For graphic design and video editing I am still on Windows. The professional grade software there is either unavailable on Linux or less capable, and that has not changed for me.
Switching was transformative for my programming, even though it was not easy at first. The learning curve was worth it. Linux made me a better programmer, and it taught me something about adaptability and continuous learning along the way. If you are a programmer still on Windows, it is worth giving Linux a try.
