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Why WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is Better Than Linux
Embracing the Best of Both Worlds: How Windows Can Supercharge Your Linux Development
Introduction: The Unlikely Champion of Linux Development
Conventional wisdom says a “true developer” will install a complete Linux distro because “real” development happens on Linux and besides, we’ll be deploying to a Linux platform anyway. No need for the flamboyant excesses of Windows, all we need is the Linux terminal and perhaps the occasional X-Windows application. Besides, Microsoft historically tried very hard to eliminate Linux, seeing it as an existential threat, right? Wrong.
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The Rise of WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)
In 2016 Microsoft introduced the first WSL, WSL 1. While revolutionary, WSL 1 had limitations in terms of full Linux kernel compatibility and performance for certain workloads. In 2019 we saw WSL 2 with significant improvements - introducing a lightweight virtual machine that runs a real Linux kernel. This significantly boosted compatibility and performance.
Later on WSL 2 brought further enhancements, including GPU support and the ability to run graphical Linux applications…
