Why Should I Learn Linux Programming?

Why should I learn Linux programming?

Linux and its cousin Unix are operating systems for major servers. Whether you are running a web farm or personal PC.

What do you mean personal PC? That's pretty much Windows or Macintosh.

You can install Linux the operating system on your PC. You can even run the Windows OS in Linux.

What would someone do that?

They can run any version of Windows they want, even running Windows XP past the support deadline. Or use Windows software in that session while bouncing around to any other open source application you want.

I've mostly heard of Linux programming as the purview of the mysterious sysadmin, the guy who wears a pony tail, Hawaiian shirt and cutoff shorts, maintaining all the web servers.

That's one of the main uses of Linux. But you can use it to make the Chrome OS work on your machine, too.

I'm looking for practical reasons to learn it.

You can use it to install custom home automation in your computer like setting up a home surveillance system or control your home with Siri. You could use Linux to make your own digital photo frame or set up live music streaming through the house intercom.

The primary cheerleading I hear is that it lets you do torrents.

That's a big deal to whom it matters.

Yeah, like half the people who watch Game of Thrones. It's the only show that has as many illegal downloads as HBO viewers.

If you want a more practical reason to learn Linux, think IT security.

Is Linux more secure?

Not only better security than Windows, though part of that might be because Windows gave the NSA an open door. There are Linux versions made to let you practice hacking.

That's illegal.

Not if you want to work in IT security and be paid to find and plug other people's back doors. If you run a Windows or Mac virtual machine on Linux, you can find their holes, and shut down the instances if someone does hack it without compromising your machine.

And unlike all the IT security courses I see online, installing Linux is free.