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Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) VS Docker for Beginners

Compare Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) VS Docker for Beginners and see what are their differences

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Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) logo Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Learn more about how the Windows Subsystem for Linux works.

Docker for Beginners logo Docker for Beginners

docker for beginners
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-17
  • Docker for Beginners Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-05

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) features and specs

  • Seamless Integration
    WSL allows users to run a Linux distribution alongside their Windows environment, enabling a seamless workflow that combines the best of both operating systems without the need for dual booting.
  • Ease of Use
    Setting up WSL is straightforward via the Microsoft Store, and it provides a user-friendly way to access Linux tools without complex installations or virtual machine setups.
  • Performance
    WSL offers near-native performance for Linux applications, as it manages system calls directly using the Windows kernel, providing better speed compared to traditional virtual machines.
  • Resource Efficiency
    Since it doesn't require a full Linux kernel virtualized layer, WSL consumes fewer resources (such as RAM and CPU), allowing for more efficient multitasking with Windows applications.
  • Development Environment
    WSL provides developers with access to powerful Linux-based tools and frameworks directly from Windows, making it attractive for cross-platform development.

Possible disadvantages of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

  • Limited Hardware Support
    WSL might not fully support all hardware features, especially those related to complex peripherals or proprietary drivers that are typically better handled by native Linux installations.
  • Incomplete Linux Experience
    While WSL gives access to many Linux capabilities, it may not support certain system-level operations or kernel modules that are possible in a complete Linux environment.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some Linux applications or packages might not run smoothly or at all on WSL, requiring workarounds or alternates to achieve the desired functionality.
  • Networking Limitations
    Networking setup may be more complex with WSL, including limited support for certain networking namespaces, which can hinder specific use cases like advanced networking configurations.
  • Overhead Concerns
    Despite lower resource usage than full virtual machines, there's still some performance overhead with WSL due to the translation layer for Linux system calls on the Windows kernel.

Docker for Beginners features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    The curriculum provides a straightforward, hands-on approach to learning Docker, making it accessible for beginners with clear instructions and examples.
  • Comprehensive Coverage
    It covers a wide range of topics from basic concepts to more advanced usage, giving learners a holistic understanding of Docker.
  • Practical Exercises
    Includes practical exercises that help solidify the concepts by providing real-world scenarios where Docker can be utilized.
  • Up-to-date Content
    Regular updates ensure that the curriculum stays relevant with the latest features and best practices in the Docker ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of Docker for Beginners

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For absolute beginners, some of the concepts might be complex and require additional research and time to fully understand.
  • Limited Troubleshooting
    The curriculum might not cover all potential troubleshooting scenarios that a user might encounter, requiring learners to seek additional support.
  • Online Dependency
    Being an online resource, learners need a constant internet connection to access the curriculum and resources.
  • Assumes Prior Knowledge
    The curriculum might assume some prior knowledge of related technologies, which could be challenging for complete newcomers to the tech field.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) videos

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Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Tutorial & How To

Docker for Beginners videos

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Category Popularity

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User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) should be more popular than Docker for Beginners. It has been mentiond 125 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) mentions (125)

  • What I wish I knew about Python when I started
    If you are running Microsoft Windows, I want to advise one more prerequisite step that you need to take before getting started with Python or uv: install the Windows Subsystem for Linux, also known as WSL2. Do not, for the love of all that is good and holy, try and install Python tooling directly in Windows; install WSL first. This guide outlines all the steps you need to take to get started, though I recommend... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Using curl-impersonate in Node.js to avoid blocks
    Note: node-curl-impersonate is only compatible with Unix-based operating systems like Linux and macOS. If you are on Windows and cannot use the WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), consider using [ts-curl-impersonate](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ts-curl-impersonate) as an alternative as it comes with native Windows support. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Boost Your Productivity with Shell Aliases: A Simple Hack for Flutter Developers
    Another option is to use the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which gives you a Linux-like terminal on Windows. With WSL, you can follow the same steps for creating aliases as you would on macOS or Linux by editing your .bashrc or .zshrc file. To set up WSL, check out the official Windows Subsystem for Linux documentation. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Linux Desktop Market Share Climbs to 4.45%
    A very cursory search would tell you about the Windows Subsystem for Linux: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/about. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Attempted to setup windows-linux dual boot on my PC and screwed it all up - please help
    Dual boot is ssooo previous decades. Let me introduce you to WSL, Windows Subsystem for Linux, now you can run Linux (including GUI) seamlessly from within windows. No dual boot, no sacrifice to security with legacy boot, no restarting to use apps and tools from the other OS, use windows and Linux truly side by side. Source: almost 2 years ago
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Docker for Beginners mentions (22)

  • SQL + Docker: The combo for Quick and Safe Query Testing
    Basic understanding of SQL and Docker(this tutorial can help). - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Are there any good written (non-video) tutorials for Docker?
    I used https://docker-curriculum.com/ as my first tutorial. If the first docker run command doesn't work you likely stopped scrolling down the page after installing Docker Engine. At the bottom it mentions post-installation steps for Linux: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/linux-postinstall/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How (and why) to host a multiplayer unity game server in a Docker container
    This will be really easy. That being said I recommend you get some (optional) nice foundational knowledge of Docker first. Official docker tutorial. Source: about 2 years ago
  • meross smart appliances and openhab; still relying on webhooks?
    This would be a full beginners guide to docker. https://docker-curriculum.com/ Docker is basically a way to package everything you need for installing and running an application inside an image. You only need to feed in the settings you want to set. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Docker Compose: how to wait for the MySQL server container to be ready?
    Not directly related to this post, but the first Docker tutorial I took was Learn to build and deploy your distributed applications easily to the cloud with Docker, it's an excellent tutorial and does also cover Compose. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Docker for Beginners, you can also consider the following products

XAMPP - XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server that is primarily used when locally developing web applications.

Docker - Docker is an open platform that enables developers and system administrators to create distributed applications.

Laragon - All in one web server.

Kubernetes - Kubernetes is an open source orchestration system for Docker containers

SSH of Windows' Linux subsystem - Installation instructions for the Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 10.

Docker Hub - Docker Hub is a cloud-based registry service

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