Linux Distro Best for Programming Practice
 

First and most, I've checked every similar thread about these question but no one of the threads has the same meaning with mine. Usually people ask about what linux distro best for programming. I'm not really sure, but I think every linux distro can be used to create some program,,, as long as you install the compiler package.

But here what I want to ask, are there any linux distro that can be used to write a program and compile it easily without need for me to download the package and wait for installation?

I have veerrryy slloooowwww Internet connection, and it's very uncomfortable to wait the download finished only to write and learning some new programming language.

Last time, I use Ubuntu 8.04 Live CD on my laptop, and when I want to compile my java source it tells me to connect to the Internet to install the JDK. Same problem occurs when I want to compile my ruby source. The only compiler that has been built up with these OS are GCC and Python.

I want to know if there any Linux distro which have Python, JDK, RoR compiler, PHP, Apache, between or both of MySQL and PostgreSQL. And the most important think, I do not want to buy/download any repository DVD or connect to the internet whenever I want to use a new compiler.

I just want to download the OS from the site, install it, and I can use it already.

It's become more annoying to use Ubuntu because I must have an Internet connection or buy and download the Repository DVD.

I hope the next Linux Distro can be more user friendly.
Thanks,

Tony

PS: sorry for my english >_<

Check out Slackware, It comes with extensive compiled collection and no need for dev/devel packages to install etc.

Your question seems a bit confusing. You say you don't want to download a lot of stuff, but you don't want to buy a DVD? Where will you get your distro? I do agree that installing Linux distros these days can be annoying that most of them seem to want to install from a generic CD/DVD, and then download everything at install time (a real pain if you want to install to multiple hosts).
I have found that Debian seems to be the most developer-friendly distro that I've tried. They seem to emphasize up-to-date versions of most software development tools, and also support a fair degree of cross-development work. I have no first-hand experience with Slackware, but by reputation, it is probably a good bet, too.
Often, when you install a Linux distribution, there is some option to install a larger body of software development tools. Perhaps you have missed this when you've installed your Linux.

--- rod.

I'm not a developer, but I second the recommendation to take a look at Slackware. It comes with a lot of developer tools as part of the base install.

Count me as a third opinion for Slackware. It has a sane environment for compiling.

Fedora is also a good choice albeit not as stable as something like Slackware. The base OS install will include perl, python, php, jdk and php. However I do suggest you purchase a DVD at least for the distro you choose - as you'll definitely in future be faced with the problem of needing to install new applications and not being able to download these quickly.

Yet another recommendation for Slackware (naturally :) ).

Slackware because a full install is the default and then one has every popular programminglanguage installed. Another point is that Slackware comes with all packages vanilla, you don't have problems with distributionspecific patches for the programs/sources.

Markus

Why is no one suggesting OpenSuse, I don't know.

Currently I am using OpenSuse 11.2 and through Yast one can very easily install ALL development tools !

though I'll be shifting to Slackware soon now.

As already mentioned, if you do a full install from a Slackware DVD, you get MASSES of programming stuff: many languages (compilers & interpreters), and many libraries (complete, no need to install separate whateverlib-dev or whateverlib-devel).

If you have access to a fast internet connection somewhere else, or you are prepared to buy disks, then Debian provides its ENTIRE repository on 5 DVDs. The DVD set can be bought for typically 10-20 dollars.

@theNbomr: sorry, maybe it's because of my english :p. I got the Ubuntu CD from ShipIt programs about 1 and half years ago. It's only 600 MB and I think it was designed only for demo purpose or something like that, that explains why there are no single application that ready to use except the OpenOffice....

@all: thanks for your answer gentlemen and sorry for the (extremely) late reply (>_<). I'll try to look the Slackware... at the moment I just keep using this Ubuntu as I have been a little accustomed with it ;D.

Min'na... Dōmo arigatō!

Tony