Which Linux distribution is suitable for programming and development purposes?

I am going to use Linux for the first time. I usually worked on windows and macOS.

any, really. Any popular distro will cut.

I'd say go with Ubuntu or LinuxMint (I prefer Mint). They're just more user-oriented with their graphics and user-friendly approach. I hear others also speak well of PopOS, but I haven't tried that one, so cannot vouch for it.

Depends on what you mean with "programming and development".

If you do not depend on different compilers being available as easy as possible, then any will do.

Get the JetBrains Toolbox and you can do (almost) anything on any distribution.

For first time Linux, something Easy would be a good idea, like Mint, Zorin OS or Elementary.

I installed Zorin OS on my wifes Laptop, switched from Unity to KDE, installed two Windows Themes, and she (Windows-only-user) is totally happy. Looks like Windows 7. Just much faster and snappier. 😊

Pop OS is okay if you want something really simple with good customer support. That said, I don’t recommend it.

I generally recommend Mint to newcomers. It works out of the box, isn’t bleeding edge or stale edge, is quite stable, is very recognizable and customizable (unless you pick cinnamon; don’t pick cinnamon), and has generally everything preinstalled that you’d normally need to do a little research on (graphics drivers, codecs, etc.). Also, it uses the apt package manager, which is more common.

If you want something different but still decent, I’ve heard good things about Manjaro.

Regardless of the distro you pick, the first thing I recommend you do is install Terminator. Best (multi!) terminal emulator I’ve ever used. (Kinda ugly out of the box, though, but that’s easily remedied.)

@fruitfcker usually system-level programming. Though I also work on python and opencv and HTML, CSS, and js when required. along with databases too

@C-sucks for beginner i would recommmend debian based linux distros, since the rhel based often have an security system called SELinux active, which is even for expirienced people an pain in the ass.
Apparmor is another one of these security system that are prefered by debian based linux distros. I would disable/enable only the reporting mode since in development it can create many problems.

@C-sucks go for Zorin OS. It's the safest and most stable linux distro for first timers. As a first timer, I installed Pop OS, Kde Linux all to erase everything on my storage so don’t follow the dark path instead go for Zorin OS

@partho best advice comes from green dots who just created an account to post that comment. Not suspicious at all.

I would highly recommend Kubuntu for development. Reason....

Usually as Linux servers/containers people use Centos/Debian/Ubuntu/Alpine.

Kubuntu will make for you match for Debian/Ubuntu OSes
Quite close development/production machine if u use Debian's for prod.

And at the same time, kubuntu has nice GUI out of the box with zero need for configuration.
Almost everything there works fine as default.

Terminal Multiplexor(multi window) terminal Konsole by default. (The most important part)

Plus all instructions for any software usually just one command from snap/apt install

If your main focus would be headless, backend or cloud-native apps, I would argue for an easy-to-use distro for the main user interface. Your runtime env can and should be 100% containerized.

any will do.
i have Ubuntu and it's cute, but it has some weird bugs. i think I've been having some problems with trashing. in college we have mint and it works perfectly, which is a marvel considering how old the machines are

@Yamakuzure wow brother, your profile is so similar to mine, I like your style and the blue jay (ide and bird)