Hey everyone! I'm a student who's pretty comfortable with Python and full-stack web development (like React and Node.js), but I'm eager to get into low-level systems programming, covering things like OS development, writing bootloaders, kernels, and especially device drivers. I've come across phrases like 'write your own kernel' and 'build a toy OS', and I'd love to pursue those! However, I'm feeling a bit lost on where to begin, which resources are actually useful, and how much assembly I need to learn initially. Can anyone share their learning paths, useful books or courses, beginner-level projects, and any general tips or mistakes to avoid? Thanks a ton in advance!
1 Answer
Start by getting a good grasp of C programming. You need to be comfortable with it since it’s essential for systems programming. Familiarize yourself with C build systems, configs, and makefiles. A solid next step is to get a compiled Linux kernel running. Once you're there, check out 'Linux Device Drivers' (LDD3) to dive into driver development for Linux. Assembly is rarely needed in modern kernel development, so don’t stress too much about that.
Totally agree! It’s important to build that solid foundation in C before moving on. It really helps to understand how the Linux kernel is structured.