Why should we use WSL ?

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a feature in Windows that allows us to run a Linux distribution directly on a Windows machine, without the need for virtual machines or dual-boot setups.

As a developer, IT professionals, or DevOps practitioners, there are several reasons why we find WSL beneficial for our workflows since it offers a lot of benefits in terms of file system, compile tools, and usage speed, especially when compared to native Windows environments.

Reasons to Use WSL

Here are some reasons why we must consider using WSL within our development or IT workflows

📂 File System Performance

One of the significant advantages of WSL is its integration of a Linux file system on top of the Windows file system.
This allows for better file I/O performance, as Linux file systems are generally optimized for the kind of workloads encountered in development and server environments.

Linux file systems tend to handle a large number of small files and symbolic links more efficiently, which is beneficial for projects with many dependencies or intricate directory structures. Doing a lot of file I/O operations, such as reading and writing files, is faster in WSL compared to native Windows.

Are you developing a Node-based solution? You will notice a significant improvement in the time it takes to build and bundle your solution.

🛠️ Compile Tools and Usage Speed

WSL provides a native Linux environment, allowing us to use Linux-based compile tools directly on our Windows machine. This leads to faster compilation times compared to running these tools in a native Windows environment. The Linux environment in WSL is lightweight and performs well, enabling a smoother development experience, particularly for projects that leverage Linux-centric toolchains.

🧊 Node.js and Frontend Development

WSL allows us to run Node.js and other frontend development tools natively in a Linux environment. This can help avoid compatibility issues and streamline development workflow. Frontend development often involves using command-line tools and building systems that are more native to Linux. WSL facilitates the seamless integration and execution of these tools.

🦔 SharePoint Development

SharePoint development often involves a mix of technologies, including .NET and various scripting languages.
With WSL, we can leverage the strengths of both Windows and Linux environments, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for a broader range of tools and frameworks.

🐍 Python Development

WSL provides a convenient environment for Python development, offering compatibility with Linux-specific Python libraries and tools. With the ability to seamlessly switch between Windows and Linux environments, we can choose the best-suited tools for our Python development tasks.

📃PowerShell and CLI Tools

WSL does not replace PowerShell; instead, it complements it.
We can still use PowerShell for Windows-centric tasks, and with WSL, we now have the flexibility to use Linux command-line tools for tasks where they are more suited. This dual-environment capability is valuable for IT professionals and DevOps practitioners who often work with a diverse set of tools and technologies.

♾️ DevOps and Automation

WSL is well-suited for DevOps and automation tasks, providing a consistent environment for running scripts and tools across different platforms. Whether we are working with configuration management tools, containerization, or CI/CD pipelines, WSL can help streamline our DevOps workflows.

☁️ Cloud Development

WSL is well-suited for cloud development, providing a consistent environment for working with cloud platforms and services. Whether we are developing cloud-native applications, managing cloud infrastructure, or working with cloud-based tools, WSL can help ensure a seamless development experience.

🏫 Machine Learning and Data Science

WSL provides a convenient environment for machine learning and data science tasks, offering compatibility with Linux-specific libraries and tools. With WSL, we can leverage the strengths of both Windows and Linux environments, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for a broader range of machine learning and data science tools.

WSL offers a wide range of benefits for developers, IT professionals, and DevOps practitioners, providing a seamless and efficient way to work with Linux-based tools and technologies on Windows. Whether we are developing applications, managing infrastructure, or working with cloud platforms, WSL can help streamline the workflows and ensure a consistent and productive development experience.