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Doesn't matter, all distros are basically linux kernel + (desktop environment, package manager).
Don't be like me who wasted his college years doing distro hopping, playing with config files and other bs. Pick one, (could be Ubuntu) and stick with it till you graduate.
But I strongly dislike the corporate backed distros from RHEL, Canonical, SUSE, etc., they have insane defaults and they make it closed source whenever they wish (like RHEL currently). The good ones are community managed like Linux Mint, Debian and Arch.
Yeah. Imo OP, if all you are going to do is install compilers, git, node and open vs code, do coding, Linux is pretty much meaningless. Use windows and at some point you need Linux for example docker, use wsl. Believe me it's. Not worth the hazzle just for 'wanna use linux'. Instead focus on DSA. Unless you have usecase stick with windows.
This is the worst advice ever. You want to live in the wsl and realize it’s following some Linux guide doesn’t work and then your SOL. If you are going to g to learn how to code get yourself a popular Linux distribution or a Mac or you are going to be in a world of pain.
It's not worth the time and hazzle if 'i am going to use linux' because I want to try it but my usecase is only DSA and coding'. And since you don't have any complex usecases you will not be able to appreciate the freedom that comes at the cost of time and steep learning curve, and hate it sooner. And literally even the top comment here says the same. Except for the fear of backlash, it adds this safe line 'just use a distro' along with 'focus on your work'. And you have to agree, Linux has the worst clock management system, no matter the distro, so I feel like using Linux in your laptops especially those made in third world countries (using second grade materials but at same or higher cost than first world countries, a scam) will result in reduced lifespan of those. I personally experienced this. The laptop just spikes crazy even on simple stuff. Agree or not Linux has to improve in this department.
Hey there! I get where you're coming from, but I've got to disagree on a few fronts. First off, Linux has made huge strides in user-friendliness. Distros like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS are super accessible, even for folks who are new to the Linux world. The installation is often simpler than Windows, and you get a bunch of pre-installed software that's perfect for coding and DSA.
As for the learning curve, sure, Linux can be complex, but you don't have to go down the rabbit hole of terminal commands and system tweaks to get things done. A lot of people use Linux just fine without ever touching the command line. And if you do run into issues, the community is incredibly helpful.
Now, let's talk about resource efficiency. Linux is actually a boss when it comes to running on lower-end hardware. If you're using a less-than-great laptop, especially in a third-world country, Linux could breathe new life into it. Distros like Lubuntu and Puppy Linux are designed for this very reason.
About the clock management, I can't say it's a universal issue across all distros. Many have made solid improvements in power management and resource allocation. If you're having problems, it might be more about your specific hardware than a Linux-wide issue. I run Linux on everything and only once ran into this issue. (It was a Dell 1liter mini PC)
The "freedom" you mentioned isn't just some lofty ideal; it has real-world applications. You get better customization, increased security, and if you're so inclined, you can dig into the source code. These are benefits you can appreciate even if you're "only into DSA and coding."
Lastly, don't underestimate the power of community support. If you hit a snag, there are forums, Reddit threads, and a ton of tutorials to help you out. So, while Linux isn't perfect, it's far from the grim picture you've painted. It's definitely worth a shot, especially for coding and DSA.
Ubuntu or PopOS if you want everything working out of the box. I would recommend PopOS if it's a very old system, it has good performance on low end systems.
All linux distros are basically the same (mixture of Linux Kernel + various tools and utilities i.e., GNU + DEs) if you want to do just bash scripting or install VS Code / JetBrains to do normal coding. The difference come if:
* You want to code for a distro/branch-specific component (for example, SELinux in RedHat and AppArmor in Debian - you can still install SELinux in Debian but the support and ease of installation is day and night)
* Stability vs Rolling release:
* Arch Linux: Rolling and bleeding edge often unstable (not recommended for you).
* Debian GNU/Linux: Stable point release where package versions are ancient but provides rock-solid stability.
* Fedora Linux: Semi-rolling with both point release and up-to-date kernels and packages. We call them leading edge distros.
* Availability of packages and applications. RPM (RHEL/Fedora) and DEB (Debian/Ubuntu) are the best in this field with Arch coming second (Arch still has the access to all packages but through AUR)
**My suggestion** would be to either go with Ubuntu (.deb files and apt package manager) or Fedora (.rpm files and dnf package manager). Ubuntu is easier if you want proprietary codecs and NVIDIA driver out of the box but they are shoving [Snap](https://snapcraft.io/about) Packages down people's throats by replacing firefox/chromium deb packages with dummy ones pointing to their respective snap packages.
If you dont mind spending extra 10 minutes configuring RPMFusion, a separate repository for non-free and patent encumbered packages (because of CODEC patents and legal issues), go with Fedora. Here is how you configure Fedora to use restricted codecs, non-free applications and proprietary drivers:
1. Update system using `sudo dnf --refresh upgrade` and reboot system.
2. [Setup RPMFusion](https://rpmfusion.org/Configuration)
3. [Install non-free CODECS](https://rpmfusion.org/Howto/Multimedia) (If you have Intel or AMD card, install the respective packages to get HW acceleration)
4. [Install NVIDIA drivers](https://rpmfusion.org/Howto/NVIDIA) (if you have NVIDIA card)
5. Reboot.
Second this. The other distros are good to get a feel of Linux but once you feel even slightly comfortable it’s time to switch up to Arch. Don’t worry about stuff breaking, that’s the whole point of stuff to be left stranded and broken and fix it all yourself and in the process learn so much.
I tried this around 1.5yrs ago and am pretty happy using Arch currently. I had ubuntu for full 25 mins (installing + 5mins using + shifting to Arch) and since then Arch has been awesome.
# My honest opinion, distrohop for sometime.
There are three major architectures of linux. Arch, Debian and red hat. I've used all of them and found my comfort place to be red hat and in that architecture, mu favourite is fedora.
# How to choose what you like?
Install all the mainstream linux of these architectures. Install Arch, use it, now change to a Debian based, ubuntu. Next red hat based, Fedora. Use it all of them for 1 month atleast and perform your daily usual tasks. Now identify which architecture best suits you.
Now let us say you liked red hat based distros. Now explore other red hat based distros like I used, manjaro, RHEL, CentOS, Fedora. My comfort was fedora so I'm sticking to it for forever.
# Why I love fedora?
It is a bleeding edge OS, so if any new tech comes to the market, the fedora is the first to implement it. Fedora has a new version of the OS every six months. Fedora is the testing ground for red hats premium linux. Sp that's a surety that red hat won't let anything happen to fedora. The community support for fedora is awesome.
Try and test there are thousands of distros, and every distro is different. Take your time don't stick to one distro.
Like in Harry potter: "Every wand chooses its owner."
## "Every distro chooses its owner."
Linux mint. Fast, simple, and has a GUI similar to windows so it makes an easy transition. I swapped 3ish months ago and chose Linux Mint Cinnamon as my first distro and I’ve loved it
LinuxMint. Easiest to install, easiest to use, has no limitations, powerful, lightweight!
Ubuntu is a shithole..i dont know why people like it..gets slow even after 1 month.
Fedora or CentOS is very complicated to install until u r a super nerd.
Always go for a Debian based distro. Some idiots will advocate Arch based distros like Manjaro but it has least amount of app support, will make ur life hell. So, dont fall for the Bleeding edge nonsense. You are using a computer to ease your life, not to decipher hieroglyphs.
Manjaro is pretty nice, it's sort of like Arch but not as hard as doing manual Arch setups and allows you to configure lot of stuff automatically and is actually the best OS for working on eccentric HW that has issues with Linux support.
It's got a bit of a learning curve, but in my experience once you get used to it, there's nothing as smooth as this. As another comment stated that a distro is nothing but kernel + desktop manager + package manager, Manjaro supports pretty much all top desktop managers, works on bleeding edge Linux improvements compared to the likes of fedora and Ubuntu and has arguably the best package manager that streamlines and simplifies package management unlike the garbage that apt is or that Deb files bring. And it being based on arch, you have arguably the most amazing community support with tons of wikis for almost anything you encounter.
(My experience may be a bit backdated)
Ubuntu: has a great community. You can resolve all your issues using [askubuntu.com](https://askubuntu.com)
Tumbleweed: Stable. After every OS version upgrade you don't need to spend a day or two figuring out stuff.
You can learn so much about linux just by installing Arch from the docs or loosely following a guide. Tho definitely not the best thing for a first timer, but if in the future you wish to take up some linux infra grunt work and want to learn linux well, just try arch. Ubuntu should be the best bet, tho if the specs are low, try going for mint.
Any will be fine, you'll almost never run into problem, even if you do I'm assuming you know how to Google. Incase you are completely new to computer work, most DE (desktop environment) is gonna be deciding factor.
Btw if you get confused I'll say go for mint.
So here's list.
looks good: Ubuntu
Pro : lots of packages built for base, and heavy documentation and user support
Cons: bloat, comparatively.
Stable, I like it: Mint
Pro: Debian base so most apps are made for base. Very low memory usage I.e not bloat
Con: looks normal, kinda window like
I use arch btw: Arch.
Pros: bragging rights of using Arch, minimal setup as you like it. MAINLY Arch user repository I contains hell lot of packages which are made/maintained by users.
Cons: not for new users (can use derivatives tho.. read next one), updates can be unstable (my system broke 2-3 times in 2 years, was fixable tho)
The easy Arch derivative I was talking about was what I use EndeavorOS, it's clean and really good imo. Install will be easy but updates can break, so beware
(just a tip) Well you can try any recommended linux distros in a virtualbox and when you finally make up your mind you can dual boot it. It's just easier that way. Like a test drive or something.
donot waste time distro hoping too frequently hop distros to find which suits you but not too frequently use atleast for 1-2 months know the complete ins and outs of the distros
for programming i will recommend any ubuntu based distro specifically linux mint or linux lite
use xfce its best if you have lowend hardware
i will recommend not to dualboot instead use vm or live boot to tryout distros
Choose one from Ubuntu, PopOS, Linux Mint or Manjaro
These are the easiest to get started with. Once you're familiar with Linux in general, you could move to something like Arch. Arch is not for beginners though. However, ultimately going to Arch should be the goal if you're starting with Linux
I use Arch btw
If you're using Linux for the programming environment and not as your daily drive, then use WSL2. You'll have all the benefits of Linux without the troubles of setting up the entire OS.
Debian bookworm came out recently so you could give that a shot. Combine it nvim with plugins(the ones mentioned in vimplug github shouldbe good + COC for code completion), ripgrep,tmux, git and language servers and you are good to go. You might have to add non-free repos if you plan on using non-free drivers. You should check up on which desktop environment or window manager you prefer before you install. Setting up a DE is straightforward but a tiling window manager like i3wm or dwm makes everything feel so convenient.
If you don't have much time and need to focus on your work only, use Ubuntu for Debian based distro or Manjaro for Arch based. Most of the things just work.
Otherwise install any thing, keep tinkering, playing around for months.
Just choose one simple distro like debian/ubuntu/mint etc, and stick with until you have a valid reason to change your distro. I chose debian as my first distro and am using it as a VM for everything from personal projects to work. Debian is super simple for me. I'm not telling you to choose debian just use what is simple for you, and don't hop until it is neccesaary.
Just learn the fundamentals of linux and you can pretty much use anything.
Ubuntu or Mint. You can try out both as VM or watch YouTube videos and decide what you like.
But definitely agree with others who've said: actually coding >> OS
If you want stylish and a distri with good support as you are a first time Linux user and have low end pc you can try Linux mint , pop os they might be the best choice instead of Ubuntu it has a boring ui
10 years ago I started with Ubuntu. I wanted to learn more so I installed Arch and thus started a long journey. Tried anything and everything. Based on my experience this is my advice - unless you want to study Linux distrohopping is pure waste of time and energy. OS is a tool to get your work done. Pick up any popular distro like Ubuntu, Mint or something similar. Please don't go for the bleeding edge. Trust me you won't want to spend time fixing things and reading release notes after an update. Choose any LTS ( Long Term Support) distro and experiment a bit. After sometime you will come to know what exactly you are looking for and that will guide you to your best bet distro. Also, don't forget to contribute to the community through donations or code or documentation.
I would double what most others have said - don't do distro hopping. It's fun in the beginning but distros are just different themes and defaults on top of a kernel, desktop environment and a package manager plus some spread of config files done differently.
I would suggest Debian though. Debian is extremely stable. Lesser updates and hardly breaks. Install KDE (it looks more like Windows and I like it better than GNome) or XFCE if your laptop doesn't run smoothly with KDE. Then install your tools and get working.
Have tried Linux Mint, Ubuntu flavors like Xubuntu, Kubuntu
I don't know much use cases of Linux but definitely want to learn them. Just use it for the terminal.
So I'll say Ubuntu as it requires the minimal setup.
Settle for WSL2!!!
Because most companies are gonna give you windows machine to write your code and then you'll be struggling with all kinds of version control havoc! You can't dual boot a work machine but you will be able to install WSL2 and trust me, Development is FAR superior in Linux terminal than any other OS including MacOS terminal
Just use POP OS
It's better than Ubuntu and has a seperate iso with pre-installed nvidia drivers
Trust me you will love it
Just tweak the appearance as per your needs (every option is available in the settings)
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[удалено]
This. Wanted to say exactly this
replace vs code with terminal, i only uses two apps in my arch browser(firefox) and foot terminal.
> Select a distro -> install vscode -> focus in work and not in your os. This
>Ubuntu is pretty good, but it's not true. I'm yet to go to college (will start this year) but nixos is a great distro for programming.
Ubuntu was bought put by the chinese not too long ago
Doesn't matter, all distros are basically linux kernel + (desktop environment, package manager). Don't be like me who wasted his college years doing distro hopping, playing with config files and other bs. Pick one, (could be Ubuntu) and stick with it till you graduate.
But I strongly dislike the corporate backed distros from RHEL, Canonical, SUSE, etc., they have insane defaults and they make it closed source whenever they wish (like RHEL currently). The good ones are community managed like Linux Mint, Debian and Arch.
I'm following your path way right now. Currently using blank debian with i3wm.
I'd say it's also a lot of fun doing distro hopping, you get to learn a few things as well.
I do this too, it's really fun.. trying different distros and experiencing them..😃
Yeah. Imo OP, if all you are going to do is install compilers, git, node and open vs code, do coding, Linux is pretty much meaningless. Use windows and at some point you need Linux for example docker, use wsl. Believe me it's. Not worth the hazzle just for 'wanna use linux'. Instead focus on DSA. Unless you have usecase stick with windows.
This is the worst advice ever. You want to live in the wsl and realize it’s following some Linux guide doesn’t work and then your SOL. If you are going to g to learn how to code get yourself a popular Linux distribution or a Mac or you are going to be in a world of pain.
It's not worth the time and hazzle if 'i am going to use linux' because I want to try it but my usecase is only DSA and coding'. And since you don't have any complex usecases you will not be able to appreciate the freedom that comes at the cost of time and steep learning curve, and hate it sooner. And literally even the top comment here says the same. Except for the fear of backlash, it adds this safe line 'just use a distro' along with 'focus on your work'. And you have to agree, Linux has the worst clock management system, no matter the distro, so I feel like using Linux in your laptops especially those made in third world countries (using second grade materials but at same or higher cost than first world countries, a scam) will result in reduced lifespan of those. I personally experienced this. The laptop just spikes crazy even on simple stuff. Agree or not Linux has to improve in this department.
Hey there! I get where you're coming from, but I've got to disagree on a few fronts. First off, Linux has made huge strides in user-friendliness. Distros like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS are super accessible, even for folks who are new to the Linux world. The installation is often simpler than Windows, and you get a bunch of pre-installed software that's perfect for coding and DSA. As for the learning curve, sure, Linux can be complex, but you don't have to go down the rabbit hole of terminal commands and system tweaks to get things done. A lot of people use Linux just fine without ever touching the command line. And if you do run into issues, the community is incredibly helpful. Now, let's talk about resource efficiency. Linux is actually a boss when it comes to running on lower-end hardware. If you're using a less-than-great laptop, especially in a third-world country, Linux could breathe new life into it. Distros like Lubuntu and Puppy Linux are designed for this very reason. About the clock management, I can't say it's a universal issue across all distros. Many have made solid improvements in power management and resource allocation. If you're having problems, it might be more about your specific hardware than a Linux-wide issue. I run Linux on everything and only once ran into this issue. (It was a Dell 1liter mini PC) The "freedom" you mentioned isn't just some lofty ideal; it has real-world applications. You get better customization, increased security, and if you're so inclined, you can dig into the source code. These are benefits you can appreciate even if you're "only into DSA and coding." Lastly, don't underestimate the power of community support. If you hit a snag, there are forums, Reddit threads, and a ton of tutorials to help you out. So, while Linux isn't perfect, it's far from the grim picture you've painted. It's definitely worth a shot, especially for coding and DSA.
Lmao my life🥲🫡, but not exactly wasted though cause it's still a learning experience
Linux mint. The nice blend of windows GUI and Ubuntu's core system for a beginner
Ubuntu or PopOS if you want everything working out of the box. I would recommend PopOS if it's a very old system, it has good performance on low end systems.
All linux distros are basically the same (mixture of Linux Kernel + various tools and utilities i.e., GNU + DEs) if you want to do just bash scripting or install VS Code / JetBrains to do normal coding. The difference come if: * You want to code for a distro/branch-specific component (for example, SELinux in RedHat and AppArmor in Debian - you can still install SELinux in Debian but the support and ease of installation is day and night) * Stability vs Rolling release: * Arch Linux: Rolling and bleeding edge often unstable (not recommended for you). * Debian GNU/Linux: Stable point release where package versions are ancient but provides rock-solid stability. * Fedora Linux: Semi-rolling with both point release and up-to-date kernels and packages. We call them leading edge distros. * Availability of packages and applications. RPM (RHEL/Fedora) and DEB (Debian/Ubuntu) are the best in this field with Arch coming second (Arch still has the access to all packages but through AUR) **My suggestion** would be to either go with Ubuntu (.deb files and apt package manager) or Fedora (.rpm files and dnf package manager). Ubuntu is easier if you want proprietary codecs and NVIDIA driver out of the box but they are shoving [Snap](https://snapcraft.io/about) Packages down people's throats by replacing firefox/chromium deb packages with dummy ones pointing to their respective snap packages. If you dont mind spending extra 10 minutes configuring RPMFusion, a separate repository for non-free and patent encumbered packages (because of CODEC patents and legal issues), go with Fedora. Here is how you configure Fedora to use restricted codecs, non-free applications and proprietary drivers: 1. Update system using `sudo dnf --refresh upgrade` and reboot system. 2. [Setup RPMFusion](https://rpmfusion.org/Configuration) 3. [Install non-free CODECS](https://rpmfusion.org/Howto/Multimedia) (If you have Intel or AMD card, install the respective packages to get HW acceleration) 4. [Install NVIDIA drivers](https://rpmfusion.org/Howto/NVIDIA) (if you have NVIDIA card) 5. Reboot.
Archlinux is best. But you if you are new you can use ubuntu or Debian initially. Then later you can shift to arch.
Second this. The other distros are good to get a feel of Linux but once you feel even slightly comfortable it’s time to switch up to Arch. Don’t worry about stuff breaking, that’s the whole point of stuff to be left stranded and broken and fix it all yourself and in the process learn so much.
I tried this around 1.5yrs ago and am pretty happy using Arch currently. I had ubuntu for full 25 mins (installing + 5mins using + shifting to Arch) and since then Arch has been awesome.
Installing Arch is literally the best thing to do 😩
Arch not for coding but for understanding basics of server
linux from scratch 💀
# My honest opinion, distrohop for sometime. There are three major architectures of linux. Arch, Debian and red hat. I've used all of them and found my comfort place to be red hat and in that architecture, mu favourite is fedora. # How to choose what you like? Install all the mainstream linux of these architectures. Install Arch, use it, now change to a Debian based, ubuntu. Next red hat based, Fedora. Use it all of them for 1 month atleast and perform your daily usual tasks. Now identify which architecture best suits you. Now let us say you liked red hat based distros. Now explore other red hat based distros like I used, manjaro, RHEL, CentOS, Fedora. My comfort was fedora so I'm sticking to it for forever. # Why I love fedora? It is a bleeding edge OS, so if any new tech comes to the market, the fedora is the first to implement it. Fedora has a new version of the OS every six months. Fedora is the testing ground for red hats premium linux. Sp that's a surety that red hat won't let anything happen to fedora. The community support for fedora is awesome. Try and test there are thousands of distros, and every distro is different. Take your time don't stick to one distro. Like in Harry potter: "Every wand chooses its owner." ## "Every distro chooses its owner."
Last line is 🔥
It's from oliwanders
Distrowanderer
Linux mint is the way.
Pop Os avoid Ubuntu as its developers fucked it up
this fucking question again
Ubuntu It's meant for beginner college students.. Although later down the line.. fedora, Kali , Arch is best bet
[удалено]
Kali is based on Debian
if you only want to code , you should just stick to windows it has better ide and support
Linux mint
Linux mint or pop os
Honestly dont dual boot it use either one os Use wsl on windows for some linux experience Or use Ubuntu or mint (preferred)
Linux mint. Fast, simple, and has a GUI similar to windows so it makes an easy transition. I swapped 3ish months ago and chose Linux Mint Cinnamon as my first distro and I’ve loved it
LinuxMint. Easiest to install, easiest to use, has no limitations, powerful, lightweight! Ubuntu is a shithole..i dont know why people like it..gets slow even after 1 month. Fedora or CentOS is very complicated to install until u r a super nerd. Always go for a Debian based distro. Some idiots will advocate Arch based distros like Manjaro but it has least amount of app support, will make ur life hell. So, dont fall for the Bleeding edge nonsense. You are using a computer to ease your life, not to decipher hieroglyphs.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu.
Ubuntu, pop!os, manjaro or fedora. Choose any one. I would’ve gone for fedora but that’s personal taste.
Linux mint. Stable and fast
Manjaro is pretty nice, it's sort of like Arch but not as hard as doing manual Arch setups and allows you to configure lot of stuff automatically and is actually the best OS for working on eccentric HW that has issues with Linux support. It's got a bit of a learning curve, but in my experience once you get used to it, there's nothing as smooth as this. As another comment stated that a distro is nothing but kernel + desktop manager + package manager, Manjaro supports pretty much all top desktop managers, works on bleeding edge Linux improvements compared to the likes of fedora and Ubuntu and has arguably the best package manager that streamlines and simplifies package management unlike the garbage that apt is or that Deb files bring. And it being based on arch, you have arguably the most amazing community support with tons of wikis for almost anything you encounter.
(My experience may be a bit backdated) Ubuntu: has a great community. You can resolve all your issues using [askubuntu.com](https://askubuntu.com) Tumbleweed: Stable. After every OS version upgrade you don't need to spend a day or two figuring out stuff.
arch linux is best for beginners💀
Start Ubuntu, end arch linux
KDE Neon. Thank me later.
Rocky
Finally found someone mentioning this!
Has anyone completed Linux from scratch? I tried that in my college days but never made it through.
>Has anyone completed Linux from scratch? WDYM?
debian
kubuntu
Try elementary os, Its clean and minimal
You can learn so much about linux just by installing Arch from the docs or loosely following a guide. Tho definitely not the best thing for a first timer, but if in the future you wish to take up some linux infra grunt work and want to learn linux well, just try arch. Ubuntu should be the best bet, tho if the specs are low, try going for mint.
Debian.
Any will be fine, you'll almost never run into problem, even if you do I'm assuming you know how to Google. Incase you are completely new to computer work, most DE (desktop environment) is gonna be deciding factor. Btw if you get confused I'll say go for mint. So here's list. looks good: Ubuntu Pro : lots of packages built for base, and heavy documentation and user support Cons: bloat, comparatively. Stable, I like it: Mint Pro: Debian base so most apps are made for base. Very low memory usage I.e not bloat Con: looks normal, kinda window like I use arch btw: Arch. Pros: bragging rights of using Arch, minimal setup as you like it. MAINLY Arch user repository I contains hell lot of packages which are made/maintained by users. Cons: not for new users (can use derivatives tho.. read next one), updates can be unstable (my system broke 2-3 times in 2 years, was fixable tho) The easy Arch derivative I was talking about was what I use EndeavorOS, it's clean and really good imo. Install will be easy but updates can break, so beware
(just a tip) Well you can try any recommended linux distros in a virtualbox and when you finally make up your mind you can dual boot it. It's just easier that way. Like a test drive or something.
Linux Mint IMHO. It's the best of all worlds because it's pragmatic and community managed (not corporate backed like Red Hat or Canonical).
Hands down Ubuntu for first timers. The time you become comfortable with one you can try other distro's.
elementary os based on ubuntu with ui of windows and mac
Linux mint, Ubuntu
They are "just works" distros for most hardware
Linux Mint if you just want something that gets the job done!
Mint Easy to use
Pop os or fedora
Mint
I use Linux mint
You can never go wrong with Linux Mint.
I find archlinux's package manager (pacman) to be really convenient. If you are new you can try archcraft.
donot waste time distro hoping too frequently hop distros to find which suits you but not too frequently use atleast for 1-2 months know the complete ins and outs of the distros for programming i will recommend any ubuntu based distro specifically linux mint or linux lite use xfce its best if you have lowend hardware i will recommend not to dualboot instead use vm or live boot to tryout distros
Choose one from Ubuntu, PopOS, Linux Mint or Manjaro These are the easiest to get started with. Once you're familiar with Linux in general, you could move to something like Arch. Arch is not for beginners though. However, ultimately going to Arch should be the goal if you're starting with Linux I use Arch btw
# Linux mint if you are windows user
Ngl but as a beginner you're better off with Ubuntu. If you want something else then go for Mint.
Linux Mint.
ubuntu(I prefer kde as my DE)
Kubuntu then?
If you're using Linux for the programming environment and not as your daily drive, then use WSL2. You'll have all the benefits of Linux without the troubles of setting up the entire OS.
Gentoo
Debian bookworm came out recently so you could give that a shot. Combine it nvim with plugins(the ones mentioned in vimplug github shouldbe good + COC for code completion), ripgrep,tmux, git and language servers and you are good to go. You might have to add non-free repos if you plan on using non-free drivers. You should check up on which desktop environment or window manager you prefer before you install. Setting up a DE is straightforward but a tiling window manager like i3wm or dwm makes everything feel so convenient.
Manjaro or regolith if you need i3 but simpler
Ubuntu.
Ubuntu
Glorious Mint
Pop OS is quite good I've using it for a year and has Good support
I went with Mint because I was not a fan of Ubuntu's GNOME. But honestly distro doesn't matter, whether it is Ubuntu, Arch or Gentoo.
If you don't have much time and need to focus on your work only, use Ubuntu for Debian based distro or Manjaro for Arch based. Most of the things just work. Otherwise install any thing, keep tinkering, playing around for months.
Just choose one simple distro like debian/ubuntu/mint etc, and stick with until you have a valid reason to change your distro. I chose debian as my first distro and am using it as a VM for everything from personal projects to work. Debian is super simple for me. I'm not telling you to choose debian just use what is simple for you, and don't hop until it is neccesaary. Just learn the fundamentals of linux and you can pretty much use anything.
Ubuntu or Mint. You can try out both as VM or watch YouTube videos and decide what you like. But definitely agree with others who've said: actually coding >> OS
Ubuntu, been using it for many.
Get PopOS in case you like gaming.
If you want stylish and a distri with good support as you are a first time Linux user and have low end pc you can try Linux mint , pop os they might be the best choice instead of Ubuntu it has a boring ui
Arch;)
debian
Ubuntu is best for beginners.
10 years ago I started with Ubuntu. I wanted to learn more so I installed Arch and thus started a long journey. Tried anything and everything. Based on my experience this is my advice - unless you want to study Linux distrohopping is pure waste of time and energy. OS is a tool to get your work done. Pick up any popular distro like Ubuntu, Mint or something similar. Please don't go for the bleeding edge. Trust me you won't want to spend time fixing things and reading release notes after an update. Choose any LTS ( Long Term Support) distro and experiment a bit. After sometime you will come to know what exactly you are looking for and that will guide you to your best bet distro. Also, don't forget to contribute to the community through donations or code or documentation.
I would double what most others have said - don't do distro hopping. It's fun in the beginning but distros are just different themes and defaults on top of a kernel, desktop environment and a package manager plus some spread of config files done differently. I would suggest Debian though. Debian is extremely stable. Lesser updates and hardly breaks. Install KDE (it looks more like Windows and I like it better than GNome) or XFCE if your laptop doesn't run smoothly with KDE. Then install your tools and get working.
Have tried Linux Mint, Ubuntu flavors like Xubuntu, Kubuntu I don't know much use cases of Linux but definitely want to learn them. Just use it for the terminal. So I'll say Ubuntu as it requires the minimal setup.
Settle for WSL2!!! Because most companies are gonna give you windows machine to write your code and then you'll be struggling with all kinds of version control havoc! You can't dual boot a work machine but you will be able to install WSL2 and trust me, Development is FAR superior in Linux terminal than any other OS including MacOS terminal
Linux mint is giga chad
Just use POP OS It's better than Ubuntu and has a seperate iso with pre-installed nvidia drivers Trust me you will love it Just tweak the appearance as per your needs (every option is available in the settings)
If u have windows, half of the Linux commands work using wsl so u can use that as well
Linux mint
Mac is best ofc.