Hobbyist operating system
This article may lack focus or may be about more than one topic.(August 2016) |
The development of a hobbyist operating system is one of the more involved and technical options for a computer hobbyist. The definition of a hobby operating system can sometimes be vague. It can be from the developer's view, where the developers do it just for fun or learning; it can also be seen from the user's view, where the users are only using it as a toy; or it can be defined as an operating system which doesn't have a very big user base.[1][2]
Development
Elements of operating system development include:
- Kernel:
- Bootstrapping
- Memory management
- Process management and scheduling
- Device driver management
- Program API
- External programs
- User interface
The C programming language is frequently used for hobby operating system programming, as well as assembly language, though other languages can be used as well.
The use of assembly language is common with small systems, especially those based on eight bit microprocessors such as the
User interface
Most hobby operating systems use a
Examples
-
DexOS
-
Ghost
Use of BIOS
This section is predominantly x86 oriented.
The term BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) refers to firmware that initialises computer hardware and has provisions to load an operating system.[4] The BIOS also sets up a standard interface for several low-level device drivers at boot time. BIOS resources are often used by hobbyist operating systems, especially those written on 16-bit x86 machines, as many hobby operating systems developers lack the time to write complex low level drivers themselves or they simply want to get into writing software for the system as soon as possible.
The most commonly used BIOS functions are
The use of the BIOS is uncommon in operating systems that operate in Protected mode or Long mode, because the system must switch back to real mode which BIOS drivers run in.[5]
See also
- List of hobbyist operating systems
- Computer architecture
References
- ^ "Discussion of "My OS is less hobby than yours"". Osnews. December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
- ^ "OSDev Wiki".
- ^ Uses of assembly language
- ^ About BIOS
- ^ OSDev - Use of BIOS in protected or long mode
External links
- OSDev.org - A hobby OSDev community
- Independent Software - Set of tutorials on boot loader development and entering protected mode
- The little book about OS development - This book is a practical guide to writing your own x86 operating system
- Kernel 101 – Let’s write a Kernel
- aodfaq - OS development FAQ
- Bona Fide OS Development - Store of OS development tutorials and other documents
- A step by step tutorial
- Operating System Resource Center - Information and resources on various OSDev topics (both software and hardware)