Ubuntu 18 as development machine for java/python   

If you want to prepare new developer machine for java/python with OS Ubuntu 18.04 this post is for you. This article cover the basic programs needed for your developer job separated in several categories. You can use Ubuntu as main desktop OS if you want to have stable, reliable and beautiful looking Linux distro:

1. Why Ubuntu 18.04
   1.1 Release date
   1.2 What new in Ubuntu 18.04
2. Ubuntu default apps
3. Upgrade 18.04
4. Install Ubuntu 18.04
   4.1 Download Ubuntu 18.04
5. Initial Machine Setup
6. Install Applications for development
   5.1 Java, Intellij - How to install Java 8 on Ubuntu 16
   5.2 Python, Pycharm
   5.3 Text Editors - Sublime and Notepad++
   5.4 Database
   * MySQL - How to install MySQL 8 On Ubuntu 16.04 ; Back and reinstall MySQL Ubuntu 16
   * MySQL Workbench, Heidi
   * MongoDB
   5.5 Browsers and FTP
   * FileZilla
   * Chrome - Install google chrome in Ubuntu 18 ; Ubuntu server install headless google chrome
   * Chromium
   5.6 Comparisson tools, clipboard - Glipper, Meld
   5.7 Versioning - GIT, SVN
   5.8 Virtual Machines
   * VMware Player - How to install VMware Player on Ubuntu
   * VirtualBox
   5.9 Tensorflow and GPU support - Install tensorflow with NVidia GPU on Ubuntu ; Installing Tensorflow on Google Cloud platform
   5.9 Apache Tomcat - Install Tomcat 8 on Ubuntu 16
7. Final Set up

1. Why Ubuntu 18.04

Basic information about Ubuntu 18.04 - it's the new Long Term Support - LTS release of the one of the most popular linux distros. This means full 5 years of support for both the desktop and server versions. Code named is "Bionic Beaver".

Why a developer would go for Ubuntu machine. I find several reasons for me:

• it's free and open source
• huge developer and fan community
• fast boot time
• mature - many years and version proved it's major role in developer world
• user friendly - most users who switched from windows to ubuntu share that prefer Ubuntu as main OS ( pure personal statistic :) )
• easy for configration and customization

Release date

If you're familiar with the actual version process of Ubuntu this section will be useful for you. So Ubuntu 18.04 can be decoded as - the year and month of the official release. In this case 18.04 official release will be in April - the 4th month of the 2018. Ubuntu 17.10 was released in 2017, in October 2017. Long Term Support or LTS are issued in 2 years - so LTS are 14.04, 16.04 and now 18.04

Official release date for Ubuntu 18.04 is 26 th April , 2018 – Official. It will be available for download and upgrade from the official repositories. It's recommended first to get familiar with the new features and to test out this version before upgrade.

What's new

• Boot speed boost - the boot time is decreased significantly. This is big plus for every developer who doesn't like endless booting and the Windows updates.
• New option for minimal installation - New "minimal installation" option is avaiable for a fresh new install of Ubuntu 18.04. All you get is a web browser and a bunch of basic utilities. This minimal installation is perfect for experienced developer who knows what he needs. Also you will have better control of your machine.
• Color emojis - new fancy feature
• Automatic sudo apt update - no need of running this command when you are installing applications via PPA. After adding the new PPA Ubuntu will run automatically - sudo apt update - and then you can install your app.
• Linux Kernel 4.15 - The Bionic Beaver or Ubuntu 18.04 LTS release will use Linux Kernel 4.15. Initially the plan was for 4.14 but it was change recently.
• GNOME isntead of Unity - The change for customized GNOME version was introduced in Ubuntu 17.10. Ubuntu 18.04 features the latest GNOME 3.28 at the time of the release.
• Ubuntu 18.04 Server with new installer - Ubuntu has used Debian’s text-based installer for server editions. This is changed for Ubuntu 18.04 and it will use the new installer.

2. Ubuntu default applications

Ubuntu default application pack covers most of the applications that every users use and needs. The good point is that installing new applications is really easy by using the software manager. All you need to do is to browse or search for applications and press install.

3 Upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04

If you are already using an Ubuntu as OS, you are be able to upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04 without reinstalling the operating system. The upgrade procedure is easy and all you have to do is to follow the on-screen suggestions. It's strongly advised and recommended to do a back up before upgrade! You must have a good Internet connection though.

Users of Ubuntu 16.04 the last long-term support release, won’t get notified of the availability of Ubuntu 18.04 immediately after its release. Notification for the new LTS version will bed done roughly after a month. Users of Ubuntu 14.04 will need go through a longer process of upgrade.

4 Install Ubuntu 18.04

3.1 Download Ubuntu 18.04

If you want to download the latest release of Ubuntu 18.04 you can go to the: official Ubuntu 18.04 download page
or check the daily builds daily builds