Manu Abraham wrote: > Moeen Alinaghian wrote: > >> I think this book is what exactly you want >> Linux Device Drivers, O'REILLY Press > > > The Linux kernel is a moving target, quite a lot of information in that > book is quite outdated, but can give you an idea of things in there, > rather than pointing to the actual kernel API. > > The best way to get into kernel programming is by reading the book to > get a general idea about kernel programming, rather than to get know the > actual kernel API. Later on, you can read the kernel code, and discuss > issues on LKML.
Manu, Manu, Manu... you know better than most... Too modest dude! The best way to get into kernel programming is to dive in and do it.. I wonder how many times you blew/blow up your kernel in the processes of the driver writing you do? I know every time I dive in to do some hacking I learn a lot, blow up the machine numerous times and have a lot of fun.. When you get *really* familiar with the code you are working with, you get to the point you know exactly where the bug is by watching the stack backtrace as the oops/panic/BUG_ON() scrolls past :p) Linux kernel hacking is great fun and can be a good way to blow away too many hours of valuable time.. As the Nike ad says.. "Just Do It". Find an itch and scratch it :p) Having said that, the O'Reilly book is a *great* leg up.. but as a reference.. If you read it cover to cover, very little will stick. If you refer to it as you start to modify/panic your kernel you will learn a great deal from it. Alt-Sysrq, Serial Console, panic=10 and the reset button will be your guides.. fsck your second best friend and a decent bootloader with a safe/sane kernel will be your best friend. Make frequent backups of your root filesystem, don't ever think "This code can't possible corrupt my filesystem" and take the odd break with a Vodka Martini or good Scotch to ruminate on your code and you will learn much grasshopper. Use google as your guide, learn to quote, not to top-post, to post patches in-line without wrap/tab munging and don your flameproof undies prior to posting anything to the Kernel Mailing list, and all should be a smoothish ride.. Like anything in life, Cars, Bikes, Boats, Lawn Mowers, Women.. breaking it and then learning to fix it is one of the best ways to learn.. certainly fun in any case.. Speaking of breaking it.. if anyone wants to take the opportunity to have a squiz inside a Ducati 4V Desmodromic head/valve train, or other collected parts of what used to be a bike, give me a yell.. She's in bits. Germans make Machinery.. Italians make Art. Machinery appears to be made of space age materials that run forever. Art appears to be made from Cheese. Brad -- "Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." -- Douglas Adams ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Most low income households are not online. Help bridge the digital divide today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/cd_AJB/QnQLAA/TtwFAA/0XFolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dubailug/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
