Linux development on Windows 8

I would like to do some C++/Linux development. I have a Windows 8 PC. Can someone suggest a efficient / economical way of doing this?
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ol muserTechnology GeneralistAsked:
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rindiConnect With a Mentor Commented:
I'd rather use Linux Mint, which is based on ubuntu but much more user friendly. But generally any Distro should do, and most of them are free. Have a look at the distrowatch site:

http://distrowatch.com
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rindiCommented:
The simplest way would be to install VMware Player (free) or VirtualBox (also free) and then install a Linux distro of your choice as a VM inside that. You just need enough RAM to run both OS's at once. another option would be to install A linux Distro to some unallocated space on your HD (or to another HD) and then choose between what you boot to.

http://vmware.com
https://www.virtualbox.org/
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ol muserTechnology GeneralistAuthor Commented:
What is the most commonly used Linux distro in the market now? Is there a free version available?
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farzanjCommented:
For development you can use Fedora Linux.  Yes, it is free and part of Red Hat family but unlike Red Hat, it has more recent packages suitable for development.

http://fedoraproject.org/
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Lee W, MVPConnect With a Mentor Technology and Business Process AdvisorCommented:
The SIMPLIST way, if you have a newer PC is to install the Client Hyper-V role - it's the only Type 1 hypervisor you can run on Windows which should mean it's the fastest.  And Ubuntu (at least) comes with the Hyper-V tools built in, so you can install that in a VM.  Forget VMWare Player or VirtualBox, they are no longer needed.  (You MIGHT have to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro if you really have Windows 8 (one day, in a future FAR, FAR away, Microsoft will find a way to name things again so they don't generate confusion... that won't be today though).
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ol muserTechnology GeneralistAuthor Commented:
All good replies, I decided to go with Hyper-V and Linux Mint. Hyper V enabled. Downloading LinuxMint. thanks!
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