Re: Drivers for beginners

From: Tauno Voipio (tauno.voipio_at_INVALIDiki.fi)
Date: 11/05/05 

Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2005 14:15:31 GMT

bdoggy@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am a college student majoring in electrical engineering. I have had
> quite a few classes in digital design and extensive linux use. My
> professor has created a piece of hardware with and FPGA that has some
> PowerPC chips in it. He was able to get linux booting on the powerPCs,
> but now would like someone to write a driver for his hardware piece.
>
> While I have had a lot of linux use (desktop and server), I've never
> really hacked something that deep into the system before. I understand
> the basic theory of drivers and the OS (kernel) and hardware, but I
> don't know it all.
>
> I would like to offer my help and see if the professor wouldn't mind
> waiting a little while during which time I would read any books and
> practice writing these modules. I was just wondering for the group if
> it is that hard for someone who understands the theory of drivers and
> knows basic C (hello worlds..) to get into the driver coding business.
> I doubt I would have to make something super advanced, but I am open
> for criticism and feedback.
>
> If you could also suggest any online tutorials or books that would be
> benefical for me to look for, I would be appreciative.
>

Get the book:

Alessandro Rubini & Jonathan Corbet, Linux Device Drivers,
2nd ed, O'Reilly, ISBN 0-59600-008-1

It is a bit dated, but probably the quickest way
to get started.

If the ideas of kernel internals feel too weird,
get another book:

Daniel P. Bovet & Marco Cesati: Understanding the Linux Kernel,
2nd ed, O'Reilly, ISBN 0-596-00213-0

HTH 

-- 
Tauno Voipio
tauno voipio (at) iki fi