[invalidator]

TempleOS deserves a mention here. It boots up into a simple system with a C-like language featured front and center. It makes it easy to write small programs with simple graphics.

It feels like the Apple IIe and GW-BASIC systems that I cut my teeth on, but with more features (Simple windowing TUI, good editor, extensive help system, many examples) and high performance (compiled code running on modern x86 hardware).

I don't know if I'd give to a kid as their only computer (For better or worse, there's no networking, and I wish it had high res graphics modes and a little more polish), but it's a really cool environment for a curious young mind to explore.

https://templeos.org/

[Qem]

Perhaps we should have a EndlessOS distribution flavor targeting programming learners. See https://www.endlessos.org/os-direct-download