It seems like just yesterday that Windows and Linux were bitter rivals. Over the last ten years that stance has softened considerably so much so that Windows Subsystem for Linux became a thing. WSL allows those who need or prefer to run Linux command line tools inside Windows to do so with the need to devote hardware and time to spinning up and maintaining a full time virtual machine.
WSL has been around since 2016 and has seen steady improvements, one of the latest being the ability to run apps with a graphical user interface (GUI). Having WSL means you can use the Linux environment inside Windows without being intimidated by just a blinking command prompt. Ahead of its tenth anniversary, Microsoft has decided to make WSL open-source
WSL isn’t for those who like to tinker; for some, it’s an excellent way to get your feet wet with Linux. Fields such as web development and programming find WSL a necessary convenience to their workflow. Making the software open source will give developers a way to enhance the project and tailor it to their specific needs.
