Which os is better for development : Debian or Ubuntu ?

Question

Hello,

Are there any real differences between them?

I want to program in java and python. And of corse be a normal user: internet, etc

Which one will give me less headaches/more satisfaction ?

And which is better for a server machine ?

Thank you

Answer 1

java and python would most likely run the same on both.

With Ubuntu you get additional space of support and active community, and perhaps larger user base.

So if and when you face a particular problem, chances are with Ubuntu, the solution will appear faster.

(although, whatever works on this should work on the other as well in theory)

Answer 2

Both use Debian packages and Ubuntu is based on Debian but is more user friendly. Everything yo can do on one you can do on the other. I'd recommend Ubuntu if your new to linux on a Desktop. Though when it comes to servers I'd recommend Debian as it has less stuff "taken out" basically.

Answer 3

In Ubuntu it is a bit easier to install packages for Java development, but it doesn't really matter that much. Remember that Ubuntu is based on Debian, so it works the same. Ubuntu just adds more user-friendly GUI's.

Answer 4

Ubuntu is the more user-friendly of the two (I think Ubuntu is actually one of the most newbie-friendly Linux distros), so if you are new to Linux, Ubuntu is the way to go. Otherwise, the packages are mostly the same except for branding, so it's pretty much your choice.

Answer 5

Neither is better. They both support the same tools and libraries. They are both linux. Anything and everything you can do on one you can do on the other.

Answer 6

Since Ubuntu is based on Debian, development is almost exactly the same for both. They're both quite suitable for server machines. The fundamental difference is that Debian follows a Free software ideology, while Ubuntu sacrifices that purity for practicality when no Free equivalent exists for important proprietary software.

If you choose Debian, you will have a choice of distribution series ("unstable" / "testing") that may get you newer releases of pre-packaged software a few months sooner than Ubuntu. Unless your development projects require bleeding-edge kernel or support libraries, this probably won't matter to you at all.

If you choose Ubuntu, certain proprietary software might be easier to install because it will be available through package repositories. For example, nVidia's proprietary video driver (which you'll want for 3D graphics on an nVidia card). That's not to say you can't make such things work on Debian; they will simply be easier on Ubuntu.

I personally choose Ubuntu, for these reasons:

• Software packages I develop are guaranteed to work (with no extra dependency testing) for the rather large number of businesses and non-supergeek users who have chosen Ubuntu.
• The Ubuntu bug reporting/tracking system is far more user friendly than Debian's.
• I use an nVidia video card to play games.

A side benefit of choosing Ubuntu: A free multi-platform build farm and publishing system called Personal Package Archives. (Only to be used for freely redistributable software, of course.)