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> Who here is writing software which runs on Linux, yet needs to be running Windows while they do it? Lots of developers: NodeJS, Ruby, Python, Data Science f
by signal11 5y ago
> Who here is writing software which runs on Linux, yet needs to be running Windows while they do it?
Lots of developers: NodeJS, Ruby, Python, Data Science folk... They typically deploy on Linux in production so often want Macs to get a POSIX-ish environment on their development environment (sadly, too few developers run Linux on their laptops).
Yes, VirtualBox is helpful. Many people use automation on top of it, too e.g. vagrant. But WSL2 arguably improves the dev experience by making it a standard, "out of the box" affair.
I see WSL2 as a way for Windows to compete better against Macs. It definitely isn't going to convince Linux fans to switch. But they can ask you to consider: you can now get a newer `bash' out of the box with Windows than macOS. Which OS works better for POSIX-stack development?
- Steltek 5y agoI don't know if it's too late for that group. Macs are fashionable and I think people will feel they're being treated poorly if given a Windows laptop instead. You're right on with WSL2 providing a standard usable environment though. Windows and Mac developers both need a ton of handholding to get started and WSL2 makes it a lot easier to hand them a wiki page and expect fewer 1:1 calls to tweak setups.
- trelane 5y ago> Which OS works better for POSIX-stack development? Linux. The one you're _actually_ using. Skip the proprietary ad company desktop and use what you're wanting to.