Why Linux?

.Linux is open source and can be modified in any way.
.There is almost nothing going on in the background and it is a lot faster than windows
.Linux was created by programmers who work in their own free time, and it is just full of people passionate about coding. There are great development methods on linux because it is made for devs
.Yes, you can easily play Minecraft in linux.
.I recommend Linux Mint 14. It is just amazing.
.The minecraft coder pack was designed for linux and created in linux

It's very efficient like ItsBill said. It's so much faster.
Read this: http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

It's an amazing OS. I suggest trying out Linux Mint. Even if you don't like it, just don't install it. Just load up the iso on a disk, then it will boot when you restart your computer. It's a test OS. If you like it, press INSTALL. If not, then shut off your computer, take out the disk, and continue on with Windows.

.What does Linux have that Windows (7) doesn't? Try it.
.Is it true that Linux runs faster because there is less background stuff going on? Yes. It uses less RAM.
.Why do people like Linux for coding and learning to code, what makes it good for this?
.Can you play Minecraft in Linux? Now, most of the Linux distributions have User friendly desktops, so there's little coding needed. Minecraft works on Linux.
.I understand there are different versions, which would you recommend? Linux Mint
.Does the Minecraft Coder Pack work with Linux? Yes

It's incredibly efficient, but I don't like it because I'm just not used to the interface.

It uses 250 MB for its OS where Windows 7/Vista uses a full 1000 MB, for one.