Coding is not essential with linux. I have never coding anything for it but i have used it to write a few programs in c++ and pascal.
the linux auto update feature will automatically keep you up to date so no need to compile anything.
But i would recommend delving a bit deeping into your system to edit a few configuration files.
Just remember to register at redhat for the free updates.
The only bad point with red hat is that have removed mp3 support so you will to download a mp3 codec. but there is so may sites offering the full xmms in rpm format that it will not take 2 mins to find it.