I'm really looking for insights on addressing some pressing issues we face when developing games and applications on Linux. It seems like the compatibility layer Proton works for Windows games, but when it comes to real Linux support, it feels like we're lacking. For game developers, I hear that Linux mainly allows for exporting to other Linux platforms. What's your take on this? Also, is there a way for someone to build Windows apps while using Linux? Many steer clear of using WINE, and setting up Virtual Machines is often not ideal. It's quite frustrating since it appears that once you switch to Linux, creating GUI applications for Windows seems nearly impossible. Lastly, I've encountered issues with backward compatibility; trying to run apps from older versions of Fedora has been a headache as they often refuse to work. Can we tackle these challenges effectively?
2 Answers
Linux isn't Windows, so Proton and WINE are just temporary fixes. For game developers, the key move would be to create native Linux binaries instead of relying on compatibility layers. Modern licenses could help with that. For app development, you can compile and develop on Linux, but eventually, you'll need to test on Windows to ensure it works there. The best way to tackle older apps is to build them from source on your newer OS.
Why the big push to create Windows GUI apps on Linux? Why not just focus on web apps that can run anywhere? The demand for native Windows applications seems pretty limited these days, especially given how many developers are shifting towards web solutions.
I get that, but I’ve made a neat little tool with Java Spring Boot Web. Still, I want to properly know how to create full-fledged applications for Linux too.