The popularization of Apple products-especially MacBooks-among developers coincided with an era when web development started to become increasingly sophisticated and to require more specialized tools. Why was that such a game-changer?įirst, don’t forget that developers are also end users, and they too enjoy using polished, user-friendly, great-looking, and efficient applications.
The second half of the Mac success dyad is, as mentioned, its pleasant and elegant UI and its wide availability of high-quality applications. When you take into account the fact that Linux runs on most app and web servers around the world, adopting a command-line environment that is compatible with it becomes even more advantageous. It’s generally accepted that Windows’s command prompt falls short when compared to solutions available on other platforms, especially Bash, which is the default shell used in most Linux distributions and also in macOS X.
One might argue that a C# programmer creating desktop apps for Windows doesn’t type that many commands, and I could concede.įor many other programmers, however, the command line is crucial, and, historically, Windows hasn’t been super friendly to those needs. Is having an excellent command-line environment really that important, though? The answer might depend on the type of programming you do. However, command-line environments are still popular among programmers, system administrators, and other IT professionals to this day, given the benefits they can offer. This was the primary way people interacted with their computers before GUIs (graphical user interfaces) were popularized. The Importance of the Command LineĪ command-line environment allows you to interact with a computer by typing commands instead of clicking on graphical elements. In other words, Apple machines often provide the best of both worlds, allowing for a more “spartan” and advanced experience when you need it while also catering to the needs of end users. Macs come with a reliable Unix-like command-line environment while also offering a pleasant user experience featuring a number of high-quality applications.
The inevitable next question, then, is this: Why do so many software engineers prefer Macs? Why is there this perception that many software developers use Macs? Well, it’s because many developers do prefer Apple computers over other alternatives. By the end of it, you’ll understand the role that your choice of platform actually plays in your software development career. These are the kinds of questions we’ll answer in this post. For instance, where does this trope come from? Why does the perception that developers disproportionately favor Macs exist? Are Apple devices really the best option for software developers? Where does Linux fit in? I bet there are more things you want to know about this Mac vs. Despite being technically correct, it doesn’t tell the whole story. As it often happens, the short answer turns out to be too short. Last but not least, some use some combination of the options above.Īre you satisfied with this answer? I wouldn’t be. Still others prefer to use one of the many Linux distributions. Here it goes: Some programmers use Mac, while others favor PCs running Microsoft Windows. The question does have a short, straightforward answer.
Note: The artwork here is based on Club Penguins.In this post, we tackle a question that troubles many an aspiring programmer: Do programmers use Mac or PC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think about it? Are these reasons enough for you to choose Linux over Mac OS? If not, then what do you prefer and why? Now that you’ve known why Linux is better than Mac OS. If you want to dive in deeper to know about the benefits of an open source software, you should go through Ben Balter’s article on. In other words, a Mac-powered system enables you to get a car for yourself but the downside is you cannot open up the hood to see what’s inside.
Even if you have the required technical knowledge, you will not be able to independently take a look at the source code of Mac OS. But, for Mac, Apple gets an exclusive control. To briefly explain, you get to see/modify the source code yourself if it is an open source software. And, most of the points discussed below are the direct advantages of an Open Source software. But to me, the most important aspect of Linux being a superior choice is its Open Source nature. Open Source is something not everyone cares about.