Recently, I’ve seen many friends asking, “I want to learn operating system development, but it’s so hard to get started!” Don’t worry, today I want to recommend a fantastic project—Raspberry Pi OS. It allows you to deeply understand the Linux kernel while getting hands-on experience with a “Hello, world!” on the Raspberry Pi. Let’s discuss what it is, what problems it solves, how to install it, its pros and cons, and a final summary.
What is Raspberry Pi OS? In simple terms, Raspberry Pi OS (also known as RPi OS) is a “lightweight” operating system based on the Linux kernel, supporting only the Raspberry Pi 3. It is not a complete Linux distribution but rather a step-by-step guide that teaches you how to implement operating system kernel functions from scratch: boot processes, processor initialization, interrupts, process scheduling, system calls, virtual memory… Each lesson comes with corresponding source code snapshots, allowing you to see the system you build step by step.
What problems and pain points does it solve?
- • High entry barrier: Looking directly at the Linux source code can be overwhelming due to its complex architecture, and understanding a specific function requires clarifying various abstraction layers.
- • Limited hands-on experience: Most tutorials are theoretical, lacking complete hands-on examples.
- • Lack of comparison: When learning about self-developed OS, you have to implement everything yourself; when learning Linux, the underlying details remain unclear.Raspberry Pi OS perfectly fills these gaps: starting from the most basic “bare metal,” each lesson first lets you implement functions in your own OS, then compares how Linux does it. You learn by coding, gaining substantial knowledge.
Installation and usage methods The entire process is actually quite simple, with few steps. As long as you have a PC capable of cross-compilation and a Raspberry Pi 3, you can get started. Here’s a quick reference table:
| Step | Action |
| Environment preparation | Install the cross-compilation toolchain (e.g., arm-none-eabi-gcc), prepare the SD card |
| Clone the repository | <span>git clone https://github.com/s-matyukevich/raspberry-pi-os</span> |
| Compile the code | Enter the project directory and execute <span>make</span> |
| Write the image | Use <span>dd if=kernel8.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M</span> to write to the SD card |
| Run the test | Plug in the Raspberry Pi and boot up, using serial/HDMI to see “Hello, world!” |
Just a few additional notes:
- 1. You need to use Linux or WSL/Mac systems; on Windows, you need to set up a Bash environment.
- 2. The
<span>make</span>process will automatically pull Linux source code snippets, so don’t worry about the network. - 3. If you’re unsure about the SD card device name, use
<span>lsblk</span>or<span>fdisk -l</span>to confirm.
Pros and cons analysis Here’s a concise comparison of the pros and cons to help you decide if this project is worth your time.
Pros
- • Open source and free, with comprehensive documentation and clear source code snapshots for each lesson.
- • Gradually deepens knowledge, allowing you to learn by doing, making the learning curve friendlier than directly reading the Linux kernel.
- • Focuses on Raspberry Pi 3, with a simple hardware environment and strong practical application.
- • Unique comparative perspective: implement first, then see how Linux does it, leading to a deeper understanding.
Cons
- • Only supports Raspberry Pi 3, not compatible with other boards.
- • Basic functionality, currently does not cover advanced features like networking, file systems, or peripheral drivers.
- • For those with no background in compilation/linking, there will still be many pitfalls to navigate.
Tips
- • If you encounter compilation errors at a certain lesson, check the corresponding branch’s README and issues.
- • Make sure to type along at least twice; each code submission will help reinforce your concepts.
- • Follow project author @s-matyukevich for updates, as the repository is still being maintained.
Summary Overall, Raspberry Pi OS is a practical “operating system development textbook.” It allows you to start from scratch and gradually build a very minimal kernel while comparing it with Linux’s implementation approach, quickly enhancing your understanding of the underlying operating system. If you’re interested in kernel architecture, embedded systems, or Raspberry Pi magic, I highly recommend using it as a “learning tool.” Hands-on experience is key; stop daydreaming and get started on creating your first self-developed OS!
Project address: https://github.com/s-matyukevich/raspberry-pi-os