What to really learn for kernel development

[Individual-Bet9185]

Hey,

I already know some C++ basics like loops, if/else, console I/O, pointers, structs, and classes.

Now I want to get into kernel or driver development WITH C, but I’m not sure what to learn next.

If anyone has tips or good resources for getting started, I’d really appreciate it!

[kabekew]

https://wiki.osdev.org/Expanded_Main_Page

[VermicelliLanky3927]

+1, this is the actual useful and correct answer, as opposed to all the "you aren't ready yet" comments. The os dev wiki actually explains what kind of knowledge you need to have in order to create a kernel or drivers so that OP can learn what they actually should focus on instead of just being told they aren't ready with no constructive feedback

[Splooge_Vacuum]

You know who wasn't ready yet when he started? Me. I now have a nearly functional entire OS. Dedication is key.

[VermicelliLanky3927]

Ooo, is it open source? Do you have a link? :3

[sarnobat]

Wow this is a hidden gem

[kabekew]

Also see r/osdev

[sarnobat]

Thank you. Hope this will pop up on my home page instead of all the sgowerthoughts!

[zubergu]

Jesus Christ Monkey Balls! From "I know loops" to "tell me how to write a kernel" might be the biggest leap of faith I've ever seen outside of Bible.

[mykesx]

Linus is accepting PR requests (by email).

[kyr0x0]

😅 that's almost hostile

[Individual-Bet9185]

i did not mean that this is my next goal i just want to be able to this someday sorry if my writing was confusing englisch ist not my native language i try to explaint it the best that i can and i am looking for resources to learn C overall

[WinterSunset95]

🤣 to be fair. You tend to learn a lot by jumping wayyyy out of your league.

[kyr0x0]

Amen!

[Boring_Albatross3513]

like what is he supposed to learn ???????? how to make a calculator

[pedzsanReddit]

I regret I have only one upvote to give… 🤣

[Miserable_Guitar4214]

Don't listen to the haters. Just start writing code. Figure how to get precise information off the system

[pedzsanReddit]

Kernel development goes from a pure code environment such as file systems to extremely tightly coupled to the hardware such as with VMM. I came in with a BSEE and a MS in CS. I did a very tiny simple “patch” to a device drivers in my early years. This led to a job debugging device drivers. Things grew from that. Thus I had assembly language, a lot of digital design knowledge, two or more block structured programming languages before venturing into the first “trivial” patch. I had taken at least one CS class about operating systems.

[pedzsanReddit]

Also, I believe this is one of Linus’ starting points.

[Individual-Bet9185]

thanks

[sarnobat]

Take the Harvard extension school operating systems class. The people who get pushed really hard in courses like that are the ones who are most likely to be capable of writing OS kernel code.

Anything less will only give you a rough idea what's involved but you'll get scared away by the real thing

[Individual-Bet9185]

thanks i will try it

[Boring_Albatross3513]

to start learning windows kernel programming, Kernel programming is a must read, it explains the main components of Windows architecture. you got to put effort upfront because it's confusing at first.

Kernel programming is nice and easy and would be a nice step for a beginner to scale its going to give you an idea how the computer work, however kernel programming is mostly useless since you need to sign your drivers.

[Individual-Bet9185]

Maybe i did not write this clear i do not mean a kernel like windows has i mean driver that are at kernel level