What's the best Linux distribution for an advanced beginner?

If you're serious about getting into the depths of Linux, starting with Ubuntu or Fedora could help you get comfortable. Later, if you're ready for a challenge, Arch or Gentoo can be excellent choices as they require a deeper understanding of how systems work. The Arch wiki is a great resource for documentation too.

Have you looked into CachyOS? It's based on Arch but offers a user-friendly experience and superb performance for desktops. Plus, you can access all the Arch packages, making it versatile for programming. Ultimately, any distro is fine for programming; it’s more about familiarity and comfort.

I wouldn't recommend starting with Arch as your first distro; it can be pretty overwhelming if you're new. A Debian-based distro is a solid choice to get comfortable first, then you can transition to Arch later if you feel ready. Otherwise, you might find yourself running into a lot of issues right off the bat.

You might want to trial different distros to find what works best for your hardware and personal comfort. I've stuck with Ubuntu for over 20 years because it’s reliable with my devices and easy to use.

If you're eager to jump right in, Arch is available, but be prepared for a steep learning curve. If you prefer something more user-friendly to start with, Fedora is a great option. And if you're feeling adventurous, Gentoo has its merits but generally isn't the best starting point because of its complexity.