First thing's first. I have never used Linux before. I don't even know what the UI looks like.

I find myself in the position where I need Linux for the first time ever. Specifically, I need the Linux Command Prompt to compile C programs to create processes and threads (using fork() function).

For the moment, I'm only looking to use Linux for the above mentioned purpose, so I need a minimalist version that will allow me to do that, because the computer I will be installing Linux on has only 1GB of DDR RAM and a single-core CPU.

Thanks.

Welcome!

I'd use Lubuntu.

Please note, Linux itself has no GUI, but there are many applications that create this GUI, they all have different feel and look. Lubuntu comes with LXDE desktop.

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What you need is a lightweight Desktop Environment (DE). I'd recommend you something like FluxBox, MATE or simply some "tiling" window manager (WM). Also, you may try XFCE.

As for the distro, you may pick something like Linux Mint (MATE edition), Lubuntu (Ubuntu with LXDE) or Xubuntu (Ubuntu with XFCE). Mint and Ubuntu are both great options for starters.

At the moment I'm using Sabayon Linux and I know they have an edition avaiable with FluxBox DE which is like ~100mb RAM footprint right after boot. I like XFCE for all the completeness of desktop apps, but it has a bigger footprint, but its still lightweight.

Oh, and of course you have Puppy Linux, Slackware, or Damn small linux. Not my personal picks.

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Thanks for the quick reply. I checked the system requirements for Lubuntu and they are crazy. I should be able to run this no problem.

Now I hope I can ask two more questions on this thread, as it seems a waste to create another one.

1) 32 bits or 64 bits?
2) Do I create a bootable DVD to install Linux or is another approach required?

With a single core CPU 32 bit seems appropriate. If your computer will boot from USB, that's the medium I would use. I haven't used a CD/DVD in years. I use Rufus to create bootable USBs in Windows...

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With 1 GB of RAM either 32 or 64 bit will work, with over 2 GB of RAM 64 bit should be preferred.
You can use a bootable DVD or you can put it on a USB stick.

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Okay, so I've chosen the Lubuntu 32 bit version. Thanks for all your help.

I'm probably going to install it in the weekend when I have time. Expect some more questions as I'm sure something will go wrong

One great thing about Linux OSs is that there is so much choice out there, one really frustrating thing about Linux OSs is that there's so much choice out there!

If all you need is a command line and compiler (+sundries) I would suggest starting with a virtual machine in Windows (VirtualBox is pretty usable and friendly, IMO)
Install a couple of VMs, Slackware, Debian, Ubuntu, & Fedora are my top four suggestions as they have pretty big user/support bases. My personal preference is for Slackware, but you might find that you really don't like it. Personally I don't enjoy Fedora, but tonnes of people really love it!

There won't be a simple off-the-cuff answer, It's going to take some experimentation. The potentially good new is that I cannot think of a distribution that can't do what you need!

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Thanks for the suggestion nelsonm, but the reason I didn't want a virtual machine is because I have this old PC lying around so why not use it exclusively for a real Linux while my main PC can have Windows all to itself? I like keeping things simple.

Keep in mind web browsing can be memory hungry, if you have a chance to upgrade your RAM to 2 GB, do it. I have a drawer here filled with memory sticks for older hardware, I'm sure there is someone nearby to you who has the same.
For instance, just opening a Facebook page can fill over 500 MB.