Choosing Linux for open source development.

Question

I work on Windows XP platform and use Aptana Studio, MySQL for PHP development. I want to know which Linux edition and flavor would be appropriate for my development purposes?

Answer 1

There aren't big differences between the major distros as far as availability of development tools. Might as well go with Ubuntu. It has a huge community and momentum behind it.

Answer 2

The correct answer is "almost any edition or flavor". Because Aptana and/or Eclipse, not to mention other developer tools and MySQL and PHP, will run well on any good modern desktop Linux distribution. But personally I use all of the above under Ubuntu and like it a lot.

Answer 3

As RC says, this is a matter of taste...

never the less, I would choose the distro that people around me are using => so we could support each other.

in my case, that means Ubuntu ..

Answer 4

I use Kubuntu (ie, Ubuntu with KDE instead of Gnome -- mater of personal choice) and it's OK for LAMP development : you can use Eclipse PDT (or Aptana, of course), you have MySQL available, ...

... But I suppose any kind of Linux distribution will do ; maybe you will not always have the latest versions of PHP/MySQL, but PHP 5.2.x should be available for most distributions, I suppose.
And, if necessary, you can compile what you need from the sources (I sometimes do that for PHP, to get the most recent version, as Ubuntu only provides 5.2.x, and not 5.3.x)

Answer 5

I like Ubuntu a lot.

Answer 6

For Development I use Gentoo Linux, it has pretty much all the tools you could ever want and more, and the latest and greatest version of your favorite programs and it's the one distro that has the more tools available from the package manager.

That said, it takes a while to get used to it. AND You need to do the installing "by hand", which often teaches you how to use Linux and how stuff works, BUT takes time!

I use Aptana on my Gentoo box for development (that and Eclipse PDT) so you'd feel at home. Gentoo comes handy when you need to install stuff for that amazing idea you have, but that is not that common. In Gentoo even the most bizzarre tools come in the package manager (Portage) that makes it a GREAT development environment.

Gentoo is one of the most customizable Linux distributions there is.

Answer 7

I too would go for Ubuntu, for several reasons.

1. It has a regular/predictable release schedule which I find very helpful as I can plan ahead for upgrades.
2. It provides both Desktop and Server Editions. Potentially allowing you to become more familiar with your deployment environment if you choose to use Ubuntu Server while developing using Ubuntu Desktop.
3. Great Documentation which can be found here Ubuntu Desktop and here Ubuntu Server which should cover most of your needs.
4. Friendly and helpful community forums.

I have been using Ubuntu as a Desktop and Server for quite a while now and have found it to be an excellent distribution combination that has certainly made my life easier.