Debian Vs Fedora

shiddo · 03-16-2018, 12:31 PM

Hello !

I want to learn programming, I'll start with Python, i'm interested by server administration too, and as final goal pentest. Theory and practice. I plan to use it as main OS as well.

I'm not sure which one to choose. Debian stable latest version or Fedora. I've read everywhere both have pros and cons.

What would be your advices please ?

Thanks a lot for helping !

Timothy Miller · 03-16-2018, 12:41 PM

Debian is supported for much longer and so will not require constant upgrading to a new version. Fedora will have MUCH more recent versions of all libraries.

I like both, I do prefer Debian, but that's mostly from a desktop usage side rather than a development side, because the repos are VASTLY larger than Fedoras, and doesn't require 3rd party repos to get some what I'd call basic functionality.

BW-userx · 03-16-2018, 01:56 PM

Debian .. NO Wait! Fedora! it is really up to the user to decide.

273 · 03-16-2018, 02:05 PM

Either. The one which works on your system.
For personal computer use I use Debian Sid, which as far as I know is fairly similar in its support for new hard- and software as Fedora.
If you want to experience a server OS then something like CentOS is a good idea but it might be a pain to install and use on a PC.

hydrurga · 03-16-2018, 02:10 PM

Try them both and see what you think.

How did you narrow your choice down to just these two distros?

shiddo · 03-16-2018, 02:23 PM

Thanks for all the answers !!

As I see, maybe Debian is a good choice. I'll try both in Live USB mode before making my final choice.

Hydrurga -> Because I have to make a choice between all the biggest distro. ArchLinux is in my mind too. it's been a few days since I read the linux forums before making an appropriate choice with the arguments "programming - Main OS - server admin - pentest - ... " . I kept these three there.

I admit. I've lost a lot of time staying with windows.....

jsbjsb001 · 03-16-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

...If you want to experience a server OS then something like CentOS is a good idea but it might be a pain to install and use on a PC.

You can use CentOS as a desktop system as well, and it runs fine on my PC. But, yes, it's normally used as a server system. It's also more work to set things up than other distro's like Fedora. Therefore I personally would not recommend it if you're new to Linux.

Have you read this?

shiddo · 03-16-2018, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001

Have you read this?

Now, yes. It's a good summary of everything I've read so far.

I think I will try Debian 9.4 stretch, for customing possibilities first + I read they want to launch a DebianDesktop (if it's not already the case)

(I will read the man about CentOS for personal information.)
Thanks for all the answer and help !

jefro · 03-16-2018, 04:02 PM

I think Centos or Scientific would be my choice if one wanted to move on to server.
Suse and Opensuse may be considered also.

However all that say you decide are correct too.

Maybe sites offer pre-made vm images of choice with packages installed to.

For the most part there are plenty of distro's that will do what you wish.

YesItsMe · 03-19-2018, 04:59 AM

From these two I'd pick Fedora. dnf (formerly yum) is so much nicer than apt.

descendant_command · 03-19-2018, 05:10 AM

From these two I'd pick Debian. apt is so much nicer than dnf (formerly yum).

fatmac · 03-19-2018, 11:10 AM

When I started, I had RedHat & Debian, but I soon came to like Debian better, that was back in 1999, & I have been mainly Debian based ever since. (Personal preference.)