Should I switch to Linux or Mac?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LinuxMicrosoftMCSA
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Linux Mac Switch
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to switch from a Windows PC to either a Linux distribution or a Mac for programming purposes. Participants explore the suitability of each operating system for coding in various languages, including C++, Python, Swift, and Java, as well as considerations for gaming and software compatibility.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that Swift development requires a Mac and XCode, while others challenge the necessity of Linux for coding in C++, Python, and Java.
  • Another participant points out that both Windows and Mac can compile C++ and questions the claim that Linux is required for certain programming languages.
  • Concerns about commercial software compatibility on Linux are raised, noting that applications like MS Office and Apple iTunes are more reliably supported on Mac and Windows.
  • One participant shares their experience using both Ubuntu and MacOS, highlighting the similarities in Unix-style commands and the ability to perform Linux development on both systems.
  • Another participant emphasizes that Anaconda Python and Java work across all major platforms, suggesting that language compatibility is not limited to Linux.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of Linux for programming in certain languages, with no consensus reached regarding the best operating system for coding and gaming.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about software compatibility and programming capabilities depend on specific use cases and personal preferences, which are not universally applicable.

LinuxMicrosoftMCSA
Messages
20
Reaction score
2
Hi,
For my next computer I either want a PC running OpenSUSE for coding and Ubuntu for gaming. I can code C++, Python, and Swift. I know that for Swift development you need a Mac computer. There's just no other way to code swift other than getting a Mac and XCode. But I know that Linux is pretty much required for coding the other languages that I mentioned (Java, Python, C++). I've grown up with Windows machines and I absolutely hate them. Linux and Mac both solve the problems that Windows has. I'm just debating with myself right now whether I should stick to a PC running a Linux distro in the future or get a Mac for coding and some online gaming. Thank you.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
LinuxMicrosoftMCSA said:
But I know that Linux is pretty much required for coding the other languages that I mentioned (Java, Python, C++)

Both Windows and Mac have the capability to work with those languages. What caused you to think that only Linux is capable of compiling C++?

BoB
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: QuantumQuest and jedishrfu
One key issue is commercial software. You’re pretty much guaranteed that it will work on Mac or Windows but for sure not on Linux without some sort of VM like Wine.

Some examples include MS Office or Apple iTunes.

If you like Linux go for it. I use Ubuntu on one machine and have MacOS on another and switch between them depending on what I want to do. MacOS is somewhat quirky when installing some software (dmg vs tarballs) but the Unix style commands and scripting work similarly to Linux that we have no problem doing Linux development on both Mac and Linux machines interchangeably in Java and Python (anaconda distro)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: QuantumQuest
LinuxMicrosoftMCSA said:
But I know that Linux is pretty much required for coding the other languages that I mentioned (Java, Python, C++).
I agree with @rbelli that this is absolutely not the case. I'm partial to Windows machines, myself, and program in C, C++, x86 assembly, Python, MIPS assembly, and am currently getting up to speed in Lisp.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jedishrfu
LinuxMicrosoftMCSA said:
I know that for Swift development you need a Mac computer.
[...]
I know that Linux is pretty much required for coding the other languages that I mentioned (Java, Python, C++)
Have you tried Google searches for:

macos c++
macos python
macos jdk [Java Development Kit]
 
Anaconda python works on all platforms of note, same for java and c++
 

Similar threads

Ubuntu (or another distro) on a crowded SSD
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
MHB Using Linux? Mac or PC - Which Architecture Runs Better?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
I'm considering switching to Linux but I'm not versed in ICS
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Losing Wifi hotspot when connecting to signal
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
6K
What do you think of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Mac vs PC: Which is Better for a PhD Student?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
10K
Finding the Right OS for a PhD Student: Making the Best Choice
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
11K
Linux for Physicists: Best Distro for Beginners
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
15K
Best Ethernet / Network switch setup?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
How should I distribute space among different partitions in Ubuntu?
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K