What is WSL?
WSL allows us to run a full-fledged Linux environment inside Windows without using a dual boot setup or running inside a virtual machine. Currently, there are two versions: WSL 1 and WSL 2. Naturally, WSL 2 is an improved version; it is recommended and we will be using it. WSL 2 has increased the filesystem performance and added full system call compatibility.
With WSL, for example, we can debug our .NET applications that are supposed to run in a Linux production environment somewhere on the cloud on our local Windows developer desktop. It can also speed up the debugging of a Linux-based container on a Windows machine.
In addition to that, with WSL, you can install a selected number of Linux distributions that are available on Microsoft Store, and you can use Linux command-line tools, such as grep, on the Windows filesystem, such as in your C drive. You can also run database services such as MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL inside your WSL. It is also possible to install...
