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Why use Linux instead of Windows?

quadzilla

I have seen people recommend doing development under Linux rather than Windows. Can anyone give me a list of reasons for or against using Linux for the development environment?  I'd like to present a case to my bosses.

  • If you're developing FOR Linux, do the development UNDER Linux.  Far less issues.

  • Unless you're developing something where the tools only run on one operating system, I'd say just stick to what you know or like.

    However, being familiar with both is definitely a benefit. If you "pick a side" and feel the need to defend it and deride the other, then nobody loses out but you.

  • in reply to dyessgg

    depends. I'm developing Linux software for SBCs on Windows.

    The question is just too broad. Does the product support both OSes? What is the main OS used in their company? What are all their colleagues using up until today?

  • Since people asked, we're developing applications that require running FreeRTOS on embedded processors. I've heard people say that Linux provides a better development environment, but I hadn't heard any specifics.  I did note that AMD's online documentation uses Linux-specific path names, so I wondered if that indicated a leaning toward Linux.

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    If it works for you, then more power to you.  Doing simple application development is one of those areas where it could work ok so I will agree with your statement of "depends".

    I do Linux kernel driver/BSP development.  It requires a lot of heavy Yocto work.  Doing the development under Windows just simply is not an option.  The builds can already take an hour or more for a full kernel, browser, driver and system build.  Adding additional overhead of VMs or Dockers (if it would even work) just stretches that out.

  • in reply to dyessgg

    Sounds like you're saying that development (for your purposes) is just faster under Linux.  Right?

    In our case, we would have to use VMs and/or Docker if we wanted to use Linux for the development environment.

  • in reply to quadzilla

    If the tools run under Windoze without problems, then there is no particular reason to move to Linux unless you're more comfortable with it AND you can make a good case why you should reimage your company assets to use Linux instead of Windoze.  Most corporate IT groups have bought the Windowze security model so completely they have no clue how to manage something else and still have their warm and fuzzy feelings.  In those cases, there is probably no way to build a business case for using Linux  to develope for non-Linux targets.

  • in reply to quadzilla

    A Linux VM required to do my work would outstrip the capability of almost every corporate-supplied machine.  I use my personal 13th Gen core i9 with 64GB RAM and dual 2TB Samsung 990 Pro NVMes.  Even with that, the RAM is sometimes not enough.  I have an older 10th Gen Core i9 with 128GB RAM and similar NVMEs for really large builds.  Fortunately, my current client provides dual-socketted Xeons with 512GB RAM and 128 threads for ou rLinux work.

  • in reply to dyessgg

    Yes. If it works well under both OSes, it 'll be difficult to build a compelling case. In particular if the OP has to build the case, and bases it on I've Heard and pathnames.

    Both OSes are good at embedded development with FreeRTOS.