Best Linux distro for programming (2022)

Features: Supports multiple kernels simultaneously | Comes in GNOME, KDE Plasma, and XFCE

Do you want to set up a Linux desktop to work and look exactly the way you want it to? If that’s you, then Arch Linux deserves your attention. With Arch, everything is under your control. That’s both the good news and the bad news. 

While Arch’s slogan is “Keep it simple,” simple is in the eye of the user. As someone whose first “desktop” was the Bourne shell, it’s not that hard. But, for those who didn’t grow up with a command-line, it’s another matter.

You see, Arch only comes with a command shell. It’s entirely up to you which desktop environment you’ll use and exactly how it will be customized. With sweat and toil, you can get it to fit your exact requirements and needs. That’s not easy. Even with the help of its excellent ArchWiki documentation site, you’re in for a lot of work. But, when you are done, you’ll have a unique desktop to call your own.

Or, if that sounds like too much work, you can use Manjaro Linux. This distro takes much of the blood, sweat, and tears out of installing and running Arch. It comes in three main desktop editions: GNOME, KDE Plasma, and XFCE.  

At the same time, though, if you want to switch Linux kernels, Manjaro is one of the few distros that makes it easy to switch operating system gears. It supports multiple kernels simultaneously. You just re-boot your system, make your selection in the boot menu, and you’re back to your desktop with a new kernel running underneath.  

Is this something most people will want to do? No. But, if you’re serious about testing the Linux kernel, then Manjaro is for you. 

Pros: 

• Completely customize your desktop
• Easy to switch operating system gears

Cons:

• Customization can be overwhelming for some 

Features: Supports multiple kernels simultaneously | Comes in GNOME, KDE Plasma, and XFCE

Do you want to set up a Linux desktop to work and look exactly the way you want it to? If that’s you, then Arch Linux deserves your attention. With Arch, everything is under your control. That’s both the good news and the bad news. 

While Arch’s slogan is “Keep it simple,” simple is in the eye of the user. As someone whose first “desktop” was the Bourne shell, it’s not that hard. But, for those who didn’t grow up with a command-line, it’s another matter.

You see, Arch only comes with a command shell. It’s entirely up to you which desktop environment you’ll use and exactly how it will be customized. With sweat and toil, you can get it to fit your exact requirements and needs. That’s not easy. Even with the help of its excellent ArchWiki documentation site, you’re in for a lot of work. But, when you are done, you’ll have a unique desktop to call your own.

Or, if that sounds like too much work, you can use Manjaro Linux. This distro takes much of the blood, sweat, and tears out of installing and running Arch. It comes in three main desktop editions: GNOME, KDE Plasma, and XFCE.  

At the same time, though, if you want to switch Linux kernels, Manjaro is one of the few distros that makes it easy to switch operating system gears. It supports multiple kernels simultaneously. You just re-boot your system, make your selection in the boot menu, and you’re back to your desktop with a new kernel running underneath.  

Is this something most people will want to do? No. But, if you’re serious about testing the Linux kernel, then Manjaro is for you. 

Pros: 

• Completely customize your desktop
• Easy to switch operating system gears

Cons:

• Customization can be overwhelming for some