Press Release
May 2, 2003
O'Reilly Releases "Building Embedded Linux Systems": This Book, and an Internet Connection, Are All You Need
Sebastopol, CA--Nowhere has Linux established itself so successfully as
the operating system of choice as in the area of embedded systems. And
embedded systems are everywhere--from toasters and cell phones to a
car's ABS system and water-filtration plants. The widespread interest
and enthusiasm generated by Linux's successful use in embedded systems
has created a certain amount of "buzz" around the subject, yet
professional developers are still seeking answers to fundamental
questions regarding the basic methods and techniques used to build
embedded systems based on the Linux kernel. Most information available
to them either relies on the use of pre-packaged development tools or
covers only one very precise aspect of running Linux on an embedded
target.
Building Embedded Linux Systems by Karim Yaghmour (O'Reilly, US
$44.95) takes another approach. This book shows readers how to design
and build their own embedded systems using Linux as the kernel and
freely available open source tools as the framework. Written by an
active member of the open source community, the book is structured to
gradually introduce readers to the intricacies of embedded Linux, with
detailed information and examples in each chapter that culminate in
describing how Linux is actually put on an embedded device.
"Although embedded systems are central to our day-to-day lives, most
embedded systems are developed following little or no methodology at
all," explains Yaghmour. "Recently, a few universities have begun to
put together embedded system curriculum so that students are taught
about embedded system development early. I think this trend will
continue and that the development of embedded systems will increasingly
rely on more formal methods. My book helps in this regard by providing
the reader with a method for developing and specifying embedded systems
based on the Linux OS."
"Building Embedded Linux Systems" covers such topics as system
components, an overview of the kernel architecture, debugging, and system initialization. Details are provided for
various chips and other hardware, along with useful tools for
monitoring and debugging. All explanations rely on the use of open
source and free software packages. By presenting how to build the
operating system components from pristine sources and how to find more
documentation or help, this book simplifies the task of keeping
complete control over one's embedded operating system, whether for
technical or sound financial reasons. All that is required--in addition
to this book--is an internet connection to download the source code of
the various components that will be used. The book features procedures
for:
- Building your own GNU development toolchain
- Selecting, configuring, building, and installing a target-specific
kernel
- Creating a complete target root filesystem
- Setting up, manipulating, and using solid-state storage devices
- Installing and configuring a bootloader for the target
- Debugging your embedded system using a wide range of tools and
techniques
This book should be essential reading for embedded system designers at
all levels of experience who intend to use Linux in current or future
projects, or would like to become familiar with the tools and
techniques involved. Certain to become the authoritative guide on the
subject, "Building Embedded Linux Systems" is the only book that
provides everything developers need for understanding how and why
embedded Linux systems are built the way they are.
"If you are working with or developing embedded Linux systems, or plan
to in the future, you should add this book to your library. It is well
written, well informed, and does not shy away from the difficult topics
like how to build a working toolchain, or how to remotely debug your
applications. I really think this book is set to become the 'Linux
Device Drivers' of the embedded Linux world...highly recommended."
--Eric Andersen, maintainer and main developer for uClibc, BusyBox, and
TinyLogin
Additional Resources:
Building Embedded Linux Systems
Karim Yaghmour
ISBN 0-596-00222-x, 391 pages, $44.95 (US), $69.95 (CAN), 31.95 (UK)
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.
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