Installing a new language is way easier on linux - apt-get install <language> and you're getting started.

You seriously underestimate the amount of work people have to do to get started in an IDE.

apt is prone to catastrophic failure that's very hard to diagnose but setting up an IDE is as simple as clicking OK on a few prompts in an installer. For some real data nobody in the high school class I took that used visual studio had any issue with the fact it was visual studio.

Really though, thinking on it the best environment for a total beginner is probably one of those web-based things like codeacademy.

I don't want to start a huge argument or anything but it's years since apt has failed for me, and I run a bunch of systems. IDEs have a learning curve over and above learning the language, and really, locating and installing an IDE is easier than typing apt-get install <language>?

Let's agree to disagree.