Simple Linux setup guide for beginners like you
Simple Linux setup guide for beginners like you
I'm setting up a programming PC to explore Arch Linux from a game dev perspective, especially for learning Python. I'm curious about how Manjaro and Arch function differently and what the installation process looks like. Both distros offer unique approaches, and I'd like to compare them with other options for a better understanding.
When working on programming projects, Arch and Manjaro aren't ideal choices. Both tend to be unstable, and support is often focused on more traditional distributions like Debian or RHL. If you decide to give them a shot, be aware that installing Arch can be challenging (though the Arch wiki provides thorough guidance) and you might encounter stability problems.
Stability is important, but I'm eager to explore different setups. My usual OS choices are Mint and Mac OS, though I'm open to testing many distributions. Could you describe the experience of using VS Code and executing custom programs on Manjaro or Arch Linux?
Manjaro modifies codecs and delays package availability by two weeks through its internal testing. Certain choices might lead to partial upgrades, and compatibility with the AUR could be affected if that’s important. For Arch-based systems, EndeavourOS is a good alternative—it feels like Arch with an installer and pre-set defaults. Arch demands a deeper understanding of its setup, since you must check what’s installed and configure everything yourself. Automation from other distros usually doesn’t work here. Installing a package won’t instantly activate services; some packages need setup before they function, and others may remain inactive until dependencies are resolved. As a rolling release distro, frequent changes mean you’ll often need to adjust configuration files and dependencies manually during updates. Features that work smoothly on other distros might not behave the same with Arch. Avoid standard software centers for Arch, as they don’t integrate well outside Flatpak or Snap. If you need a graphical interface for managing packages, consider pamac-aur or pamac-all, which support both Arch and AUR. Keep in mind that using tools like pamac may hide package update notifications. If you opt for the AUR, learn about makepkg and PKGBUILD; there are also AUR Helpers like yay. For a hands-on experience, try installing Arch manually at least once—preferably in a virtual machine.
Endeavor OS appears to be a stronger fit for my professional needs compared to Arch or Manjaro. I don’t have the hardware details required to configure any virtual machines. I’ve never owned a machine with over 16GB of RAM throughout my life.
Understand that the information I provided remains relevant for EndeavourOS, offering a full base with an installer to begin with instead of starting empty.
The setup of Arch is now mostly straightforward. I use it on my laptop, installed it without checking any guides and just went with the on-screen instructions—it worked well. All the other information here is accurate.