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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Help deciding Os (self.linux)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by utnapishtim to c/[email protected]

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Hi, I'm learning python and I have purchased a 2015 MacBook air. I want to install Linux on it (Ubuntu) but my friend who's a developer told me to leave the MacOs because they are similar as operative systems. What do you think? Should I change the os and switch to Linux? Thanks. Edit: thank you for your replies. There are still so many things I don't understand about programming and os, sorry about that.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

Depends. Are you happy with MacOS and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem?
If yes, then just keep it. It is perfectly tailored for your hardware.

If you are annoyed by it or want to try out something new, then try Linux.
The 2015 MBA has a Intel CPU afaik and general hardware support should be fine from what I've heard.

Instead of Ubuntu, I would recommend Fedora, either the Gnome or KDE variant. If you prefer minimalism and the coherence/ well-thought-outness of MacOS, then use the Gnome ("Workstation") variant, and if you prefer customisability, then the KDE-spin.
You could also take a look at the Atomic variants, they are a newer concept with a few benefits (and also drawbacks) compared to the regular versions.

As a small tip: no matter if you decide for the mutable or the atomic versions, use Distrobox! While Python is pre-installed, it is a system dependency, and you wanna keep your dev environment isolated from your host OS. If you wanna change the Python version for example, this might otherwise brick your install.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Gentoo also relies on python for builds. I wonder why older distros shifted to python instead of relying of bash scripts. Isolating your dev environment is quite handy in any scenario. 👍

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Definitely want to use virtual environments instead of messing with the system default Python. I’d keep MacOS and learn Python on that personally. Switch OS when they know what they are doing and more what they want.