Hey guys,

I'm fairly new to this forum, so please correct me if I have this in the wrong place.
I'm currently a first year computer science student and am planning to install a linux distribution on my laptop. I have previous experience on Ubuntu 14.10 (barely any) but ended up reverting to Windows because my laptop crashes with the Nvidia Optimus drivers (331 and 346) (I have both a GTX850M and Intel HD 4600). I fixed it by only using intel drivers and disabling optimus/switchable GPU in my Bios.

Now, before I get too in-depth with my laptop (in terms of work, etc) I would like to find out which is better for programming/coding? Compatibility and everything. I heard that Ubuntu has the most support with updated programming features but that's probably wrong...

The reason I want linux is because every desktop at my Uni runs Linux. The schools own distro of Linux, which they can't give out even to students. I believe it is somewhat like RedHat or something...

This is almost 100% for programming, with the occasional browsing/skype/social media.

My laptop specs are as follows:

i7 4810MQ
16GB RAM
GTX850M + Intel HD 4600 (Optimus)

I think that's all the information I need to put >~<

TL;DR: Which linux distribution is best for Coding/Programming/Learning and Development?

Thanks, Ryan.

When it comes to programming, all Linuxes are equal!

Look in the menu of your university computer for a system monitor to see what distro and desktop you're using (or just ask). They might have Red Hat, or they might have its free version, CentOS. The GUI will be Gnome or KDE. If so, I suggest you get CentOS with the same the same GUI. That way the interface will be the same and the files in the same places, where ever you are.
http://wiki.centos.org/

If you get CentOS, don't get the latest version 7, but version 6. For home use, you'll need extra software from other repositories and they aren't all geared up to version 7 yet. I doubt that the university has the latest version: this stuff has 10 years support. For getting extra software, see
http://wiki.centos.org/AdditionalResources/Repositories

I agree with DavidMcCann that the same distro as on you uni is first choice. For reasons of equality of installed programs, menu structures and occasional support from the uni's IT geeks. There are no disadvantages.

If you choose something else, I would recommend Mint Debian Edition over Ubuntu. Ubuntu tries too hard to imitate Windows, certainly if you use the Unity desktop. It is about as unworkable as W8. All programming tools should be available in all distros, Ubuntu again being the exception.

jlinkels

Programming tools, especially more exotic ones, seem to be more easily available for Ubuntu than for Mint - if you can tolerate Unity. In all other respects (especially stability) I'd recommend Mint.

All Linuxes are almost equal. Just some distros have it in their repos, for some other distros, you have to search it elsewhere.

I am surpised. Ubuntu does its own package management, thus including and excluding packages as they wish.

Mint DE is fully compatible with Debian Testing. And Debian is a distro where technical and development tools are definitely considered priority.

So can you please explain your statement?

jlinkels

Mint is more "everyday"-oriented: codecs and stuff.
Like I said, you can install those more exotic development tools, but they are not included in the default repos. You have to add Debian or Ubuntu repos or use ppa:s or the like.

I think that CUDA was one such thing. Don't take my word, though.
I can't check, because at the moment I don't happen to have Mint installed in any of my machines.
Rare situation. :-)

[EDIT]
Ah, crap. You were talking about DE! I've never tried DE.
[/EDIT]

First choice would be the same, or equal to, that which you will be using in class.
If they use RedHat, they are paying for RedHat help/support. Use CentOS, it is exactly the same without the branding.
(Personally I use Debian based systems because I prefer apt package management.)
All programming languages should be available, unless they are a commercial product.

Depends your your needs -- what type of coding (WEB based or other) ?

Just about any Linux will do but I need to mention the distro (Slackware) I use. I consider it the best development workstation out there because:

1. No need to search and install 'development libraries' on slackware, it has all the libs I need to use. In the distro we use @ work, I had to search and install these "devl libs" and even had to install gcc. But once installed it worked fine, and the install was easy on that 'work distro'.

2. It comes with just about every language out there, even COBOL

3. Many development tools are included.

Due to licensing you will have to download and install java if you want it, instructions exist and it is easy. You may want to install eclipse, that is not difficult either but you need to get java before you do.

Good luck and have fun.

Not always. Sometimes different teachers use different distros/tools - or maybe not Linux at all, as the school may have different HW. Mine did have Suns and SunOS and Solaris (well 25 years ago).
I didn't buy one of those for homework.

In that kind of case it's better to get a good distro and stick to it.

Ubuntu repositories are enabled in Mint (not LMDE) by default. If you look at the Mint repos you will find that they actually only contain a few programs and packages altered with Mint's branding, while the majority of packages directly come from Ubuntu repositories.

I have one machine dedicated to programming in various languages and for different hardware (HC11, Atmega, etc.) I agree with most of the above. Try to use whatever the university is using as it will be much easier to transfer your programs back and forth. That is how I started using linux back in 2005, the EE cluster had Fedora (5 or 6 IIRC) so that is what I used on my machine, made things easier.

If you decide not to use the same thing as the schools computers, then I would recommend a base distro such as Debian or Slackware. I would avoid Fedora and use CentOs if you chose the RedHat based route (unless you do install RedHat). I prefer Debian for my programming machine, I have found aptitude/apt package management well suited for myself and what I do, YMMV. Also I would give the Fluxbox WM a try when you install. For programming purposes it seems to be a very smooth work flow for this task.

LMDE is not a Debian testing based anymore. the developers change their path and now use Debian stable as source, same as SolydXK.

You don't have to install Unity, just install Ubuntu from the Minimal Net Install CD and you get to choose your desktop environment.

For programming, there should be zero difference between Mint and Ubuntu. Pick either (I like Mint) and once you start, be prepared to revise your choice based on what your peers and/or instructors are using.

Ignoring any current canonical bashing both ok.
But mint favours reliability over security. Some updates are blocked.
Do you plan to do internet banking?
I use mint, for philosophical reasons no longer use ubuntu. I plan to move distro to LMDE or another distro in the future