WSL
A compatibility layer in Windows that allows developers to run a genuine Linux environment natively, without the overhead of traditional dual-booting or bulky virtual machines.
What it is
WSL bridges the gap between Windows and Linux. It runs a real Linux kernel directly on Windows 10 and 11. Developers can use standard Linux command-line tools (like Bash, grep, and Docker) to build and test software exactly as it will run on production servers, while still using Windows IDEs and native apps seamlessly.
When you would use it
You use WSL when you own a Windows machine but need the standard Unix tools and Linux compatibility required for modern web and backend development.
Common operations
- Running native Linux Docker containers directly on a Windows laptop.
- Writing and testing Bash deployment scripts without leaving the Windows OS.