Linux is a popular, open source operating system kernel. Linus Torvalds started development of the kernel in 1991.
347
votes
14answers
154k views
Why do game developers prefer Windows?
Is it that DirectX is easier or better than OpenGL, even if OpenGL is cross-platform? Why do we not see real powerful games for Linux like there are for Windows?
84
votes
22answers
38k views
Is there any reason to use C++ instead of C, Perl, Python, etc.?
As a Linux (server side) developer, I don't know where and why should I use C++.
When I'm going to performance, the first and last choice is C.
When "performance" isn't the main issue, programming ...
80
votes
21answers
7k views
Making money with Open Source as a developer?
I'm currently a student (Applied Information Technology) and we do most of our programming in C# and Java. I was wondering how can I as a developer, make money with open source. I know there is the ...
79
votes
10answers
18k views
Is Ken Thompson's compiler hack still a threat?
Ken Thompson Hack (1984)
Ken Thompson outlined a method for corrupting a compiler binary (and other compiled software, like a login script on a *nix system) in 1984. I was curious to know if modern ...
55
votes
25answers
49k views
Why do programmers use or recommend Mac OS X? [closed]
I've worked on both Mac and Windows for awhile. However, I'm still having a hard time understanding why programmers enthusiastically choose Mac OS X over Windows and Linux?
I know that there are ...
43
votes
15answers
6k views
moving from Windows to Linux
I need to reconcile these 2 facts:
I don't feel comfortable working on Linux;
I need to develop software for Linux.
Some background: I have a 10+ years of programming experience on Windows (almost ...
37
votes
7answers
4k views
Difference between '\n' and '\r\n'
Yes yes, I am aware that '\n' writes a newline in UNIX while for Windows there is the two character sequence: '\r\n'. All this is very nice in theory, but my question is why? Why the carriage return ...
30
votes
5answers
2k views
Why do *nix-y folks single-quote like `this' instead of like 'this'? [closed]
Why do *nix-y folks tend to singe-quote like `this' instead of like 'this'?
I'm referring to the opening "backtick" ` instead of '.
And I'm talking about writing prose in email or documentation -- ...
26
votes
14answers
3k views
Should a programmer know Linux? [closed]
I'm a PHP/Python programmer learning Java and C#(.NET). My main OS is windows 7 but I've used Linux and currently dual-booting with Ubuntu. My Linux knowledge however, is pretty limited. I can work ...
25
votes
2answers
10k views
How to become a Kernel/Systems/Device driver programmer?
I currently work in a professional capacity as a software engineer working with the Android OS. We work at integrating our platform as a native daemon among other facets of the project. I primarily ...
22
votes
9answers
21k views
Comparison of IDEs for C++ and C development on Linux: KDevelop, Eclipse, NetBeans, CodeBlocks and Anjuta [closed]
I'd like to note your experience of full scale IDEs on Linux.
I personally work mostly with vim, however other programmers would like
to see a real IDE. So I'd like to hear your personal opinion ...
21
votes
8answers
2k views
Any basic difference between Unix and Linux in design and other aspects? [closed]
I keep reading this sentence:
Linux is a Unix-like system, but it is not Unix.
I don't know what's the real difference between the two. I know Linux got a lot of ideas from Unix and the licenses ...
20
votes
1answer
1k views
Any experience with Mono on production servers?
I am curios to use .NET for some web applications (e.g. ASP.NET MVC 2). However my budget is limited so I would like to use Mono on Linux. I have never used Mono before, and I haven't read about any ...
19
votes
10answers
1k views
Is it worth moving from Microsoft tech to Linux, NodeJS & other open source frameworks to save money for a start-up?
I am currently getting involved in a startup, I am the only developer involved at the moment, and the other guys are leaving all the tech decisions up to me at the moment.
For my day job I work at a ...
16
votes
14answers
861 views
Does being a Linux-only expert limit career choices outside academia? [closed]
I'm looking for a high-paying position in software, especially involving graphics and imaging, but preferably outside the world of universities and large government research labs. These are ...
