Heartland

The other day I started teaching myself Python programming language because I heard it is the easiest to begin with.

I was told that I should download unix or linux.

What does unix and linux do and which is better for beginners?

Unix and Windows are operating systems, like Windows. There is a bit of a learning curve and an adjustment if you're used to Windows.

Unix isn't really an option for you as it is designed for main frames.

Linux is primarily PC hardware based and free (unix ain't). There are several distributions of Linux and recommending one will always lead to disagreements, but try Fedora, Mandriva or Ubuntu for easy installation.

If you just want it for Python I would recommend you get the Windows Python client from www.python.org and use that (it's also free!!). Installing Linux just to use a Python client would be like going to a m*****n gig just to hear the Marian riff during Wasteland

Linux

Fedora is easy to start with (as Hal said, many arguments have been started over which distro to actually use. But Fedora is good to start with). Install Apache, MySQL and PHP as well for the full LAMP setup.

I own Python 2.4.1 Windows installer (Windows binary -- does not include source) .

I'm planning on Learning Javascript, C and C++ after learning Python, I'm going to get Linux from Fedora.
Thanks for the recommendation

Will I still be able to use windows if I have linux?

nick the stripper wrote:Will I still be able to use windows if I have linux?

You'll be able to set it up to dual-boot your PC, just be careful when changing the partitions on your hard drive. Then you need to reboot when changing OSes, which is a bit of a drag. I found myself sticking with windows at home and eventually removed linux altogether. I now have a linux box stuck in a cupboard that I connect to over the network if I wanna mess around.

At work I got both a windows and a linux desktop setup which I control over a KVM switch.

lazarus corporation wrote:Linux

Fedora is easy to start with (as Hal said, many arguments have been started over which distro to actually use. But Fedora is good to start with). Install Apache, MySQL and PHP as well for the full LAMP setup.

Wuss. He should go for Gentoo



THE ABOVE COMMENT IS NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IF YOU VALUE YOUR WINDOWS INSTALLATION

nick the stripper wrote:I own Python 2.4.1 Windows installer (Windows binary -- does not include source) .

I'm planning on Learning Javascript, C and C++ after learning Python, I'm going to get Linux from Fedora.
Thanks for the recommendation

Will I still be able to use windows if I have linux?

Python, JavaScript, C and C++ is a strange combination.

I've been thinking about brushing up on my DOM-compliant JavaScript so that I can start experimenting with this AJaX malarkey

I've thought about learning Python myself, but it'd make my boss waaaay too happy and increase my workload, so I just stick to scripting languages he has little interest in or use for

lazarus corporation wrote:I've been thinking about brushing up on my DOM-compliant JavaScript so that I can start experimenting with this AJaX malarkey

Don't be silly.

No browser implements DOM-compliant JavaScript

Motz wrote:

lazarus corporation wrote:I've been thinking about brushing up on my DOM-compliant JavaScript so that I can start experimenting with this AJaX malarkey

Don't be silly.

No browser implements DOM-compliant JavaScript

true.

but some are close enough.

I'm completely loving that smiley

@nick the stripper - probably a bit too late, but I just spotted a link to this Beginner’s guide to Linux distros on Slashdot. I think it's a good overview of all the major distros.

lazarus corporation wrote:@nick the stripper - probably a bit too late, but I just spotted a link to this Beginner’s guide to Linux distros on Slashdot. I think it's a good overview of all the major distros.

The link was alot of help, thanks

I'm slowly getting to grips with Python.

markfiend wrote:geeks

So's

Motz wrote:

markfiend wrote:geeks

So's

Yes, but he also gets paid to make love to a microphone stand in public. Beat that.

You've got me there