That's one flaw in Linux...and the whole monolithic design in general. Since the drivers pretty much have kernel level control, it can easily touch things that don't belong to it...
From too much experience in this field, I can tell you that the problem with device drivers is not running them, but debugging them. In monolithic kernels like Linux, a driver bug can easily crash the kernel. Depending on the what the driver does, it may require a separate terminal or computer to get debugging outputs and basic debugging console commands. It's far more complex than writing user-mode code. There's a reason why the kernel was left as one of the last things to be added to the GNU operating system: it took far longer to debug! (Richard Stallman is still apologizing for incorrectly assessing how long it would take to complete GNU HURD.)It would be useful, then, to link this tutorial to another tutorial, which would be far longer and more complex, about Linux kernel debugging. That would give a more realistic idea of the work involved.That said, writing device drivers is exceptionally rewarding, especially in an open source environment. Not only are you making countless operating systems and appliances which depend on this kernel more useful, but you'll also get a really good understanding of how operating systems work. And, of course, you have so much code out there for similar drivers, and many people who would be happy to help!I recommend any developer take the plunge!
A great article with ample scope of learning the skeleton of linux device drivers and the commonly used functions in them.........so simple and presented in quite an interesting way, so never lets u feel bored.Great work!!
Oh no! I though that is was a "Writing device, aka wacom or tablet pc, driver" I was all excited at the prospect of running Ubuntu on my ultra light tablet PC...oh well...
nyx210May 1, 2007
That's one flaw in Linux...and the whole monolithic design in general. Since the drivers pretty much have kernel level control, it can easily touch things that don't belong to it...
cabazorroMay 1, 2007
Oh the irony! The site is down. Yet, from the device driver perspective it was meant to go down by design.
Closed AccountMay 1, 2007
@hockeyYour comment would funnier and more accurate if you posted it to SlashDot<a class="user" href="http://www.slashdot.org">http://www.slashdot.org</a>
emblemparadeMay 1, 2007
From too much experience in this field, I can tell you that the problem with device drivers is not running them, but debugging them. In monolithic kernels like Linux, a driver bug can easily crash the kernel. Depending on the what the driver does, it may require a separate terminal or computer to get debugging outputs and basic debugging console commands. It's far more complex than writing user-mode code. There's a reason why the kernel was left as one of the last things to be added to the GNU operating system: it took far longer to debug! (Richard Stallman is still apologizing for incorrectly assessing how long it would take to complete GNU HURD.)It would be useful, then, to link this tutorial to another tutorial, which would be far longer and more complex, about Linux kernel debugging. That would give a more realistic idea of the work involved.That said, writing device drivers is exceptionally rewarding, especially in an open source environment. Not only are you making countless operating systems and appliances which depend on this kernel more useful, but you'll also get a really good understanding of how operating systems work. And, of course, you have so much code out there for similar drivers, and many people who would be happy to help!I recommend any developer take the plunge!
informativoMay 1, 2007
A great article with ample scope of learning the skeleton of linux device drivers and the commonly used functions in them.........so simple and presented in quite an interesting way, so never lets u feel bored.Great work!!
blackadderiiiMay 1, 2007
When you can get a job doing it.
Closed AccountMay 1, 2007
Oh no! I though that is was a "Writing device, aka wacom or tablet pc, driver" I was all excited at the prospect of running Ubuntu on my ultra light tablet PC...oh well...
tenderstormMay 1, 2007
1. Steal OpenBSD BSD Licensed code.2. Rebrand it as GPL.3. PROFIT! Instant new driver!Yahhoooo!
schestowitzMay 2, 2007
<a class="user" href="http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/blog/2007/02/performing_brain_surgery_on_yo.html?CMP=OTC-0O724Z062301&ATT=Performing+Brain+Surgery+On+Yourself">http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/blog/2007/02/performing_brain_surgery_on_yo.html?CMP=OTC-0O724Z062301&ATT=Performing+Brain+Surgery+On+Yourself</a>'Some years ago Linux creator Linux Torvalds famously compared changing operating systems to “performing brain surgery on yourself”.'
soso33Nov 17, 2008
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