Linux Distro for computer programming student

[fenT1]

Hello,

I am going to school to earn a CP degree and since discovering Linux I've learned some priceless info about computer and programming. Currently i have Ubuntu 8.04 on my PC but the sound does not work probably due to sound card support (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=872787) and since Slackware (my main interest in Linux proved to be too time consuming in my SHORT 24 hours a day). I am looking for a distro that provides GUI and compatible with many apps such as Net beans J grasp and so on... oh and did i mention sound compatibility, Debian sounds like a good option but some help would be appreciated.

[LowSky]

Ubuntu should work for all your programming needs, Linux is Linux, all that changes is the package managers and GUI, and if you want to learn programming then learn to use the Command line as much as possible.
heres a list of many different platforms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_integrated_development_environments

as for sound try this link
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/30828

[bodhi.zazen]

There is no "best". To be honest, any distro will do.

The best distro to start with is obviously one that recognizes all or most of your hardware.

My advice is that, rather then distro hoping, you roll up your sleeves and learn to fix your problems. Best way to learn and OS is to trouble shoot.

what sound card is giving you problems ? Start a new thread posting your hardware and what you have tried to fix the problem.

[ilrudie]

Debian will probably be very similar to Ubuntu (hardware support wise). I have not used it recently but Ubuntu is essentially a child of Debian's. Its unlikely that anything Ubuntu doesn't support (if Ubuntu really doesn't support it) will have support in Debian (especially the stable releases). CentOS (free Redhat) and Fedora are good alternatives that may have slightly different hardware support.

If you want to learn development don't rely on a IDE. An IDE is a tool and they can be very powerful and let you get things done quickly but not needing one is very handy in the real world. Many carpenters use a nail gun but they know how to use a hammer to. My advice would be to learn vi. Learn the command line apps to compile/debug/run your code. These will be your hammer. It may take more effert but they are very reliable and will be available everywhere you go.

Happy learning.

[MONODA]

for a computer science student I would say debian but if you really want to learn then try arch linux :D Once you get it up and running, you will almost surely never have to reinstall; it is rolling release.

[cardinals_fan]

for a computer science student I would say debian but if you really want to learn then try arch linux :D Once you get it up and running, you will almost surely never have to reinstall; it is rolling release.
Arch is seriously awesome but isn't really difficult. It's rather easy if you do your homework.

[MONODA]

Arch is seriously awesome but isn't really difficult. It's rather easy if you do your homework.
yeah, I love arch, it's my primary distro. @OP: you should really try arch, it is like slackware but easier to set up and mantain IMO.

[MisfitI38]

yeah, I love arch, it's my primary distro. @OP: you should really try arch...

I agree. I think you will like it.

[fenT1]

First and foremost Thank you all for your replies and advice.

As for my sound problems I've tried many forums, searches, codes, upgrades, re-install you name it. I guess i need to learn the command line. If any advice on this other than forum archives (tried a lot) would be appreciated.

As far as the community it is truly great! Thank you all. I only hope to learn enough to give back.

[bodhi.zazen]

+1 Arch ...

[Twitch6000]

PClinuxOS could be great for programming.
Or mandriva 2008.

[namegame]

I also have to recommend Arch.

As long as you have access to the beginner's install guide you will be fine. It's very straight-forward and simple. And when you are done, you should have exactly what you want. :)

I just installed it this weekend after months of being a fedora fan. It is great for me.

[MONODA]

the begginer's guide should be on the live cd :D. Also if you plan on installing arch, you should be very attentive while reading the guide. you will learn alot from arch since you will have to set up everything from a minimal command line installation. you also have to set up sound. In the end you have everything you want working and nothing else.

[molom]

Yeah, I would say arch or slackware. Maybe try Vector.

[Fzang]

Mandriva because of ease and hardware support

[Folk Theory]

I'd say Debian. it very friendly just like ubuntu but it pushes you to learn and become a linux expert after a while. it also places a great emphasis on configuring and tweaking things to look better unlike ubuntu which is designed to look great but in a particular pre-configured way. also as a CP student you'll want to run apache and mysql servers i'd assume so debian stable (currently etch but soon lenny) is extremely stable and reliable so this would be great for you.

[run1206]

i've been using Ubuntu since 06', works great for my computer programming classes. Eclipse is built in so i can work on Java, Anjuta IDE for C++, and also using Bluefish for PHP and HTML editing. some of my IT friends are using slackware and archlinux; heard those are really good distros as well.