WSL 2
WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) is a compatibility layer developed by Microsoft that allows users to run a full Linux kernel and GNU/Linux environment directly on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It provides improved file system performance, full system call compatibility, and better integration with Windows tools compared to its predecessor. This enables developers to use Linux command-line tools, utilities, and applications natively on Windows without dual-booting or using virtual machines.
Developers should use WSL 2 when they need to work with Linux-based development tools, scripts, or applications while primarily using Windows as their operating system. It is particularly valuable for web development, data science, and DevOps tasks that rely on Linux-specific tools like bash, Docker, or Python packages not available on Windows. WSL 2 offers a seamless workflow by allowing integration with Windows applications like Visual Studio Code and Windows Terminal.