How to Create an Operating System?

[TheSprinkle]

Hello,

 

I recently bought a Raspberry Pi B+ with an idea to build my own OS from scratch but have no idea where to start.

 

I'm completely clueless when it comes to the very basics of computer programs, so my question is how do I go about making an OS? What programs do use, how do I even tell a computer what to do with no software?

 

As you can probably see I am completely lost and any reply telling me where to start would be appreciated.

 

Thanks, 

TheSprinkle 

[Darko_Nerivar]

The topic name is... somewhat frustrating :lol:

[Hatsune Miku 「 」]

1. Learn Assembly

2, Create a bootloader

3. make a basic file system and os protocols

4. make a user interface

[kingdorian]

Step 1:

Don't

Step 2:

Don't

Step 3:

Don't

Step 4:

Don't

Step 5:

Don't

Step 6:

Don't

Step 7:

Don't

Step 8:

Don't

Step 9:

If you're still reading this start by first learing assembly using it a lot for a couple of months.. Then think again about making a os.

[Darko_Nerivar]

Oh, I know. Ask Torvalds!

[Avratz]

http://www.valvers.com/embedded-linux/raspberry-pi/step01-bare-metal-programming-in-cpt1

[Midnight]

why? I don't mean to be rude, but you don't seem to know the amount of work that entails.

[reiderj8]

I hope that your not making everything from scratch. Unless you have a lot of time and patience to spare. But, a good place to start is creating a costume linux kernel. You should know C and helpful to know assembly but it's not necessary. Also, test your kernel in a VM, because if you screw up and cause a kernel panic, then you're going to be in trouble. There is some setup and you are going to need to learn how to create a patch. It can be challenging, but if you have the imagination and skill, you can practically do anything by using kernel programming.

[loganryan99]

I've been programming for years and the idea of making an OS from scratch still makes me cringe. We're talking writing your own drivers for graphics, sound, etc. Not easy for even the most advanced programmers. DO NOT even try to do this as your first programming project because you're going to get absolutely nowhere.

 

Long story short: There's a reason so many companies use Linux and don't make their own OS from scratch.

[TheSprinkle]

Thanks so much to all the reply's, I guess it was stilly of me to think I could just make an OS.

 

Right now it's not so much I want to make an OS but rather a kernel, but really before I can consider to do any thing you guys suggested to learn a programming language which I am keen on doing.

 

What language would you guys recommend? I've learnt programming languages before like HTML, CSS and PHP but nothing like C or C++.

 

Anyway thanks again to the reply's and hope to hear from all of you again.

[smjpl]

@TheSprinkle

 

Have a look at this (google: operating systems internals and design principles 7th edition pdf)

 

and this (google: data structures and algorithms by robert lafore pdf)

 

Don't kid yourself. You aren't going to build a kernel. There is a lot to be said though for understanding how they work and how they are built. You will need the OS book to understand how they work, and the algorithm book to understand how they are built. It wouldn't hurt to know java fairly well. With that being said, you could learn a lot of programming skills from the algorithms book.

[Noxxx]

unless you are a genius, it takes around 3 years in university to get started