When we’re developing on a Windows system, we know that there are times when we wish we had the power and versatility of a Linux environment. Microsoft acknowledged this need and gave us the Windows Subsystem for Linux or WSL. And, guess what? They recently rolled out their third iteration, WSL 3, and it’s packed with some serious upgrades. So, if you’ve been feeling stymied by your Windows dev environment, this post is exactly for you!
Embrace the Power of a Full Linux Kernel
Microsoft took the Linux integration game to a new level in WSL 3 by including a full Linux kernel. This means you now have the ability to run more Linux apps and tools directly in your Windows system.
Okay, you’re excited and you want to upgrade. But how do you do it?
First, you need to make sure your Windows version is 2004 Build 19041 or higher. You can install WSL 2 with these four command lines in PowerShell:
wsl –set-version Ubuntu-20.04 2 wsl –set-default-version 2 wsl –install wsl
Boom! You’ve got a full Linux kernel running on your Windows machine. The Linux kernel improves system performance and can be updated via Windows Update, making for a smoother and more integrated overall experience.
Time-Saving Tricks in the New WSL 3
Now let’s get to the game-changing aspects of WSL 3 that’ll save you tons of time and inconvenience.
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Improved File System performance: In WSL 2, accessing Windows files from Linux was slow, causing many developers heartaches to work with large codebases. In WSL 3, this pain point has been addressed with a significant speed up, resulting in faster compile times and making git operations run much quicker.
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Supported Linux GUI Apps: Yes, you read it right! You can now run Linux GUI apps directly on Windows. No need for workarounds like Xserve. Simply run your app from the terminal, and it will open in a new window. This might change the way you use Linux apps on Windows forever.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
As exciting as the WSL 3 enhancements are, it’s equally important to know its limitations. Unfortunately, WSL 3 still lacks full system call compatibility, which could be a deal-breaker for developers hoping to use certain Linux tools. Also, GPU support, which is required for tasks like Machine Learning, is still experimental and comes with its own set of challenges.
Overall, if you appreciate the power of a Linux dev environment and the comfort of Windows, WSL 3 is a huge step forward. If you’re fully tied into the Windows ecosystem and just want occasional Linux benefits, I strongly recommend trying it. However, if you’re a hardcore Linux user relying on specific Linux features, you might want to stick with a full-fledged Linux distro.
From my experience, WSL 3 is a commendable attempt by Microsoft to bridge the gap between Windows and Linux. And even though it’s not perfect, it’s definitely made my life as a developer a whole lot easier. Whether you choose to try it out or not, just remember, the key is to pick the tools that work best for YOU and help you code in peace! Happy programming!
