Ubantu

Ubuntu is the most popular and commonly used Linux distro for web development, python, and other purposes. Over the years, thanks to the support provided by Canonical and open source community, Ubuntu has grown to become one of the highlights of the Linux desktop scenario.

Due to its popularity and continuous development, this Debian-derivative is heavily used in cloud and server applications. It also ships in multiple flavors with different desktop environments and features to gratify the different needs of people.

Fendora

Fedora is a community-driven project that delivers the most cutting edge operating system in several editions aiming for particular use cases. The best thing about Fedora is its primary sponsor, Red Hat Inc., which is a well-known company among the Linux ecosystem.

Its latest releases often inspire other Linux distributions to adopt new features and make changes. It has smart auto-configs and updated packages that make it a perfect programming operating system for developers. If you don’t like being stuck with an older version of an operating system, you can also upgrade or install the latest Fedora painlessly after every 6 months.

Pop!_OS

The US-based Linux hardware manufacturer System76 announced its custom Ubuntu-based Linux distribution called Pop!_OS in 2017. The company took this step after Ubuntu decided to ditch its homegrown Unity desktop environment and adopt the already flourishing GNOME desktop.

System76 calls Pop!_OS an operating system for developers, makers, and computer science professionals who use their machines to create new things. It supports tons of programming languages and useful programming tools natively.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a favorite Linux distribution for die-hard Linux enthusiasts who want full control of their operating system. If you want to start from the ground up, you can choose Arch Linux to build a customized operating system that could easily become a great Linux distro for programming and other development purposes.

If you love the rolling Linux distributions, then you don’t need to look any further. Arch Linux has a bleeding-edge repository that is always up-to-date. Its one-time installation is sufficient and every time a new version is released (very early every month), you just need to update your packages to reach the latest version.

Manjaro Linux

If you know how to set up your Arch Linux system, you don’t need Manjaro Linux. But if you want an Arch-based system that is easy to install and run, you can go for Manjaro. It has an easy GUI installer, just like Ubuntu or Linux Mint that also smoothens the update methods.

Manjaro is the newest distro on this list and it’s growing at a fast pace. Combining all the power of Arch Linux, it suits best for beginners looking for Arch alternate. Even if you want a distro with a particular desktop, Manjaro comes in three editions with each GNOME, KDE, and Xfce.

Kali Linux

Kali Linux, created by Offensive Security, is primarily preferred by ethical hackers to perform penetration tests on vulnerable networks and computers. But it can also act as a great companion for coders who are looking for a Linux distro for programming and development.

It comes loaded with tons of pre-installed tools. However, let me make it clear that it’s not designed for a beginner who doesn’t know his/her way around in the world of Linux. So, if you have some experience related to Linux and programming, you can try your hands on Kali Linux to brush up your skills.