Java Development in Linux Environment (eight): Linux and Windows comparison

When I first wrote this series of essays, someone asked: what is the advantage of Java development under Linux, if all the same install JDK, install Eclipse, that and Windows development what difference? This question is very sharp, indeed, it seems there is no need for us to transfer our work from Windows to Linux.

Development in a Linux system, compared to developing in Windows, has both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of my comments, welcome to discuss.

First, the advantage:

1, by the nature of the Linux system decision:

Linux is the essence of three points, one is open source, the second is free, and the third is a system with UNIX. As we all know, most of the important applications run on UNIX servers, because UNIX is inherently designed for the server's operating system, and his security and efficiency is not to be questioned, and later, in order to desktop development, there is x Windows, of course, we can choose to start the system does not start X Windows, throwing away the baggage of the graphical interface, the system can run faster, of course. The Windows operating system was designed for the desktop, and later, in order to develop to the server, the NT series appeared. Of course, the NT-series servers are now mature enough to compete with UNIX servers. However, it is not free, not only is not free, but also sell very expensive. Therefore, choose Unix/linux as the server operating system, can save a lot of cost for the enterprise.

Originally, Java design is able to run across systems, we can completely under the Windows System development, and then let the program run under the Linux system. But, after all, they still have a small number of differences, such as file paths. So, we build our system under Linux to ensure maximum compatibility.

2, have the character of the programmer decided:

Programmers have a character that likes to keep in touch with new things, which we call hacker culture, or player culture. In a Linux system, you can easily get a lot of good things, including good software, good code, good ideas, good experience. If you like system programming, Linux takes gcc with you; If you like dynamic languages, Linux has its own python, Perl, Ruby; If you want to create network applications, Linux with httpd, SendMail and so on a series of network software; If you want to manage projects, Linux brings CVS, Subversion, and Automake. All in all, as long as you're interested, Linux doesn't make you feel boring for the rest of your life.

After using the Linux command line interface, I never want to click the mouse, I feel the hands do not leave the keyboard, do things faster.

The Linux system itself has a lot of options, you can choose the old Red Hat, you can choose the rookie of Ubuntu, or SuSE Also, the community version of Fedora can also, of course, you can choose a made like me, Sun's friends, of course, can also use Sun's Solaris, which is now open source, not money. All I have to say is that Red hat really sticks to its ugliness and says it's not the only one that's ugly. For made, I think we should not have too many accusations, others have solved the most important Chinese fonts and QT library problems, has provided us with a very good foundation, the development of applications should be our every programmer, the development of good application software, we should ask ourselves, Instead of cursing other operating system vendors.

3, determined by the market:

Very simply, Linux-literate programmers are more expensive than Linux. Don't say much.

Again, the disadvantage:

1, the Windows threshold is low, it has been said that the Unix/linux system produces is beneficial to the programmer value, and Windows generated is not programmer-friendly value. Sometimes we programmers are not programmers, we also need to listen to songs, DVDs, fry stocks, play online games, at this time, Windows is more than Linux. The aesthetics of the interface is one aspect, the application software is rich is also one aspect, although SuSE interface already has done surpasses the XP, but you have a game to want./configure, make, made install half-day, not necessarily successful, natural is not as cool as windows.

2, art and web designers inseparable from windows, take my own, favorite web design tool is still Dreamweaver, although in the eclipse environment, depending on the HTMLEditor plug-in text coloring and automatic prompts, I can still write HTML and CSS very quickly, but it's still not good to find an authentic Visual Web design tool. For friends who like Photoshop, of course, it's not windows.

3, software testing not only to consider the Firefox browser, but also to consider the IE browser, so, in any case, there is also a Windows.

Overall, we do not need to move all the work to the Linux platform, in a local area network, only need one Linux is enough, the rest can be Windows,linux server is mainly used to run subversion, for daily build and automated testing, Windows is used primarily for development and, of course, as part of the client's testing effort.

You are welcome to make different comments.