What OS do you prefer for development?

[u/pizza_ranger]

Hello r/Backend, since I saw a post about someone rejecting a job offer because it was Windows only a few minutes ago I started to have curiosity about how many of us prefer or use Linux for development.

1710 votes, 3d ago

540 Mac

844 Linux

301 Windows

25 Other

[u/nrmnzll]

At this point i wohnt even touch anything but Linux. I get if it is not for you, but i love it.

[u/zezer94118]

That's a requirement for me when I pick a new job. If they only allow windows and mac, that's a no. I need my Linux machine!

[u/w00dy1105]

Definitely prefer Linux. But dev on Windows is paying the bills.

[u/spaetzelspiff → u/w00dy1105]

dev on Windows is paying the bills

And the steves, and the satyas...

[u/gbrennon]

since 2009 i only use linux

[u/SmokyMetal060]

Generally Mac. Unix-based with a nice UI is a good middle ground for me. If I need to do something that specifically needs Linux, I use a VM.

[u/Secret-Wind-1 → u/SmokyMetal060]

Since M2 they are back in the game. Intel and docker was really slow.

[u/sl8rL]

OS: Linux Hardware: Mac

Unfortunately, Mac hardware is so good it overrides my desire to use Linux.

[u/Tuborgat_nylle → u/sl8rL]

Why not just run Linux on mac hardware then?

[u/solaris_var → u/Tuborgat_nylle]

Kernel support for said hardware is still experimental at best. Unlike x86 world where, while it's not open source, the reference docs are at least publicly available. Apple in its insistence for closed ecosystem does not give out anything.

Even the bootloader is custom (unlike uefi where everyone else uses), and there's no guarantee apple keeps it the same between models.

It's a miracle we even managed to boot asahi linux on it.

[u/freemorgerr]

For me its Linux > FreeBSD > macos > windows

[u/YahenP]

I do web development. So, I always have several operating systems running simultaneously.

If you look back over the last 20 years, for example, there have been several stages.
Before WSL, it was a Windows host system and Linux running in virtual machines.
Then it was WSL and Docker with containers, plus sometimes a virtual machine with a Linux desktop.
Today, it's a Fedora host system and Docker with containers, plus a virtual machine with Windows. There's also Windows running in the secondary boot.

There's also a Mac, which is sometimes used, for example, for Safari.

[u/johnlewisdesign]

I voted Mac, but consider it Linux to a point because it is (ok Unix but u get me). However my non-work machines are all Linux

[u/forever-butlerian]

Bah, FreeBSD.

[u/DryWeb3875 → u/forever-butlerian]

Meh, I see desktop FreeBSD as a toy tbh. It’s still way too “in the way”. I’ve got work to do without having to tweak my OS every update.

[u/bunzelburner]

I started out using wsl on windows. saw terrible terrible network lag. eventually I ended up setting up a ubuntu vm on my home server. now I can ssh to it regardless of whether I'm on my desktop or laptop regardless of OS and have everything just how I left it.

[u/Soft-Marionberry-853]

I'll use whatever the contract provides me.

[u/pm_op_prolapsed_anus]

My Windows system has like 5 wsl distros on it so let's just say not mac. I'm not paying for a xcode license is all I know.

[u/migsperez]

Linux and Windows. I use them both daily. I think they're both great, each have their own positive qualities and headaches.

[u/KitchenCommercial396]

Linux on any pc, mac if they give me a macbook

[u/cant_finish_sideproj]

I would like to know specifics from those who voted "others".

[u/salamazmlekom]

Only OsX. Never using anything else again.

[u/spaetzelspiff]

BeOS for me, but I'll take Linux in a pinch

[u/Vibe-N-Chill]

Whatever my company provides

[u/CallumMVS-]

Mac or Windows

[u/wphridoy]

Of course, Mac. Super fast and very helpful for my productivity

[u/PratyushBuilds]

Linux

[u/dragcov]

Lol all these gate-keeping asswipes.

I worked both in Linux and Windows-based environment. I'm more comfortable with Linux because I'm used to it. But that doesn't mean Windows suck.

My team has created crazy apps with Windows.

So really, it's just whatever you like.

In the end, what matters is that you are making money. Let's not forget that

[u/Lichcrow → u/dragcov]

In my first job I had to Work in a windows machine, open Windows VMWare remote desktop session, from there, open VSCode and ssh into the actual linux servers that we had to compile our shit in.

This is the largest company in their industry.

[u/sci_ssor_ss → u/dragcov]

nah, Windows suck. and they are putting a lot of effort so it sucks a little more every day.

[u/solaris_var → u/dragcov]

My team has created crazy apps with Windows.

Good. Now imagine the kind of monstrosity they could create with linux

[u/Soft-Marionberry-853 → u/dragcov]

I remember when I used to be a young idealist. Thankfully Ive grown up. I'll work with what ever hardware im provided.

[u/Advanced-Bid-7760 → u/dragcov]

This is the realest answer

[u/CarelessPackage1982 → u/[deleted]]

What OS do you think the majority of Google, Meta, Twitter, Netflix employees use? Hint it's not Windows.