I began developing a kernel in ZIG for ARM, specifically for the Raspberry Pi. My background includes various types of development, but never kernel development or anything significantly low-level. My experience was limited to simpler projects like Arduino and a Game Boy emulator.
I ventured into kernel development out of curiosity and a desire to better understand my computer. Surprisingly, I found that kernel development, despite its low-level nature, isn’t as complex as anticipated. Its simplicity in data structures is logical, given that a kernel operates at a very foundational level and complexity would hinder performance.
For those new to kernel development, the field can seem obscure mainly due to challenging documentation. My previous experience with technical documentation during emulator projects was tough, but kernel documentation was a different challenge altogether.
Understanding the ARM V7 Memory Management Unit (MMU) was an intriguing challenge. The MMU’s structure, essentially a classic tree structure involving pointers, isn’t inherently complex. However, comprehending the technical documentation was daunting for a novice. This even led me to debug my VM to troubleshoot issues within my kernel.
A significant hurdle in kernel development is the advanced technical vocabulary and fundamental understanding of how computers work. This can be daunting for beginners, but the complexity is more in the language and concepts than in the mechanics of development itself.
Despite the challenges, understanding low-level development is fascinating. It offers deep insights into the workings of computers. I now feel I understand a little better what my machine does.