Hey, friends! Today I want to talk to you about this really cool thing—Raspberry Pi OS, which I often refer to as “RPi OS”. You might be wondering: what exactly is this? What problems can it help me solve? And how do I use it? Don’t worry, I’ll clarify this for you.
What is Raspberry Pi OS?
In simple terms, it is not an ordinary operating system, nor is it something like Windows or macOS. It is actually a project designed to learn about operating systems from scratch, a “custom operating system” built on Raspberry Pi hardware. Its source code is mostly based on the Linux kernel, but its functionality is quite limited, specifically designed for learning and experimentation.
You can think of it as an “introductory textbook on operating systems”; through it, you can learn the underlying principles of operating systems, understand kernel scheduling, interrupts, virtual memory, and other “black technologies”.
What pain points can it help me solve?
| Pain Point | RPi OS’s “Hardcore” Solutions |
| Want to learn operating system development | Allows you to build an OS kernel from scratch, gradually understanding the underlying mechanisms |
| Want to use Raspberry Pi for “special purposes” | Provides an expandable platform, such as for IoT devices, educational robots, embedded systems |
| Want to understand the interaction between hardware and software | Enables you to delve into principles like hardware initialization, interrupts, scheduling, etc. |
| Can’t find suitable learning materials | This project offers detailed tutorials, guiding you step by step from “zero to one” |
In short, it is a “learning tool” that helps you unlock the black box of operating systems, allowing you to understand how the “underlying mechanisms work”.
What practical problems does it solve?
- • Helps you understand the basic structure of operating systems: From the most basic boot loading to interrupts, scheduling, and virtual memory, each step is explained clearly.
- • Lets you write kernel code by hand: You don’t have to write a complete OS from the start; instead, you begin with “simple boot code” and gradually go deeper.
- • Provides rich learning materials: Each chapter is accompanied by source code snapshots, making learning more intuitive.
- • Supports Raspberry Pi 3: Specifically optimized for this hardware platform, it can run directly on your Raspberry Pi.
How to install and use it?
Actually, the installation is quite simple.
- 1. Prepare the hardware: A Raspberry Pi 3, insert an SD card, connect a monitor, keyboard, and network cable (or WiFi).
- 2. Download the source code: Go to this project address to clone the source code.
- 3. Set up the environment: Prepare a cross-compilation toolchain on your computer (Linux or macOS).
- 4. Compile the source code: Follow the project’s tutorial to configure and compile step by step.
- 5. Burn the SD card: Write the compiled image to the SD card.
- 6. Start the Raspberry Pi: Insert the SD card, power it on, and if you see the custom “kernel boot screen”, you have succeeded!
Of course, this process requires some technical knowledge, so it’s recommended for those with a bit of Linux background or embedded development experience.
Experience and feedback during use
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| High learning value: Every step is very “down-to-earth”, and you learn real things | Higher entry barrier: Requires some understanding of hardware and Linux basics |
| Rich source code, easy to understand: The source code is paired with tutorials, like “playing with operating systems” | Limited functionality: Still in development, cannot be used to create a mature system |
| Completely open source, hands-on modification: You can write drivers and tweak scheduling policies | Limited hardware support: Only supports Raspberry Pi 3, other models may not work |
| Active community: There are people maintaining it, and you can find help if you encounter problems | No mature user interface: Mainly for low-level learning, lacks a beautiful GUI |
Overall, it is more like a “laboratory for learning”; with it, you can truly understand the “black technology” of operating systems.
Conclusion: Is it worth a try?
If you are interested in low-level operating systems, want to understand the “relationship between hardware and software”, or are a tinkerer at heart, this project is definitely worth a try. Although it is a bit “hardcore”, it is precisely because of this that you can truly “feel the pulse of the operating system”.
However, if you just want to use Raspberry Pi as a home server or media center, this project may not be suitable for you. After all, it is primarily a tool for “academic and exploration”.
Final words:
If you want to embark on a wonderful journey of “low-level programming”, or want to write an OS by following the source code, Raspberry Pi OS is definitely a good starting point.
Project address: https://github.com/s-matyukevich/raspberry-pi-os