Appendix B. Resources
This book refers to external material when appropriate. The following references point to material that parallels this book or is in the periphery of the issues discussed.
Online
With the ever-increasing popularity of “embedded Linux,” many sites have been created to help potential users and adopters. Here is a list of such sites in alphabetical order:
- All Linux Devices (http://alllinuxdevices.com/)
Contains links to stories and news items related to embedded Linux. Maintained as part of Internet.com’s Linux resources.
- Embedded-Linux.de (http://embedded-linux.de/)
German-language site providing updates about the releases of some of the main open source packages used in embedded Linux systems, such as BusyBox and uClibc.
- LinuxAutomation (http://www.linux-automation.de/)
Contains a well-organized set of links to various resources related to the use of Linux in automation applications. Though the site’s main page is in German, a link is provided to an English version of the same site. Maintained by Robert Schwebel.
- LinuxDevices.com (http://www.linuxdevices.com/)
Contains lots of industry-related news items. Also contains articles about open source and free software community developments, but clearly has a commercial perspective. This site provides many introductory guides and is frequently updated. Likely the most visible embedded Linux site around.
- Linux Documentation Project (http://www.tldp.org/)
The main repository for HOWTOs, FAQs, and other guides about open source and free software packages. Probably one of the most important Linux resources given the breadth and depth of issues covered by its documents. This site is community maintained.
- SiliconPenguin.com (http://www.siliconpenguin.com/)
Contains a collection of links to embedded Linux-related material.
- uCdot (http://www.ucdot.org/)
A news and community site for uClinux users.
Though this list includes sites that specialize in providing information about embedded Linux, there are many other sites that provide general Linux information which you may find useful. Consult Running Linux for such sites.
Books
There are quite a few books out there about Linux and about embedded systems in general. Here are a few titles that you may find useful:
- Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment, by Richard Stevens (Addison Wesley)
Considered by many as the most important Unix programming book available. If you need to understand how to think and program in the Unix mindset, this is the book you need. Stevens’ books are, in general, highly recommended.
- The Art of Designing Embedded Systems, by Jack Ganssle (Newnes Press)
This book’s style is different from most other technical books in that it uses a mix of technical explanations and practical advice about real-life issues. It captures the essence of the experiences most embedded system designers have in their day-to-day work. Jack Ganssle has regular columns in Embedded Systems Programming magazine and is a frequent speaker at embedded systems conferences.
- Embedded Systems Design, by Arnold S. Berger (CMP Books)
An introductory text to embedded system design from both the hardware and the software perspective. If you are not familiar with the process of developing embedded systems, you will find this book helpful.
- Linux Device Drivers, by Alessandro Rubini and Jonathan Corbet (O’Reilly)
The classic text book for understanding how Linux device drivers are developed. Written by two respected members of the open source and free software community. A must read for any Linux device driver developer.
- Running Linux, by Matt Welsh, Lar Kaufman, Terry Dawson, and Matthias Kalle Dalheimer (O’Reilly)
This book provides you with all that you need to learn how to install and use Linux without requiring any prior knowledge of either Linux or Unix. I’ve owned a copy of this book’s first edition and have come back to it every time I forgot how something was done in Linux. A terrific book that covers much of the background material required to make the best out of the use of Linux in embedded systems.
- Programming Embedded Systems in C and C++, by Michael Barr (O’Reilly)
This introductory book covers the basics of embedded software development and offers insight into many of the software tricks used in developing embedded systems.
- Understanding the Linux Kernel , by Daniel Bovet and Marco Cesati (O’Reilly)
There have been a number of books on the Linux kernel’s internals over the years. This one is particularily well researched and structured, and has been updated to cover the current stable version of Linux, 2.4.
Publications
Though there aren’t any embedded Linux-centric publications at the time of this writing, there are many publications that discuss the use of Linux in embedded systems as part of the other issues they cover:
- Embedded Systems Programming (http://www.embedded.com/mag.html)
The main magazine for embedded software programmers. Contains many very interesting and in-depth articles about specific issues. Subscription to this magazine is free for qualified readers. I strongly encourage you to take the time to subscribe to this publication.
- Linux Journal (http://www.linuxjournal.com/)
The oldest of the Linux publications and the most well-established. The publishers of Linux Journal also started an Embedded Linux Journal publication that specialized in covering the use of Linux in embedded systems, but it was later discontinued. Instead, there is a regular “Embedded” section in every Linux Journal issue.
- Linux Magazine (http://www.linuxmagazine.com/)
Another well-established Linux publication. Covers various aspects of Linux’s use in a range of applications.
- Linux Magazine France (http://www.linuxmag-france.org/)
A French-language publication that provides thorough articles about various open source and free software packages. Articles often provide a lot of programming examples and tips on how to use and configure various commands and services.
Organizations
As discussed in Chapter 1, there are a number of organizations who’s activities are relevant to the use of Linux in embedded systems:
Embedded Linux Consortium (http://www.embedded-linux.org/)
Emblix (http://www.emblix.org/)
Filesystem Hierarchy Standard Group (http://www.pathname.com/fhs/)
Free Software Foundation (http://www.fsf.org/)
Free Standards Group (http://www.freestandards.org/)
Linux Standard Base (http://www.linuxbase.org/)
OpenGroup (http://www.opengroup.org/)
Real-Time Linux Foundation (http://www.realtimelinuxfoundation.org/)
TV Linux Alliance (http://www.tvlinuxalliance.org/)
Linux and Open-Source-Oriented Hardware Projects
- FreeIO (http://www.freeio.org/)
FreeIO (Free Hardware Resources for the Free Software Community) is an effort to develop and distribute hardware schematics and designs under the terms of the GNU GPL. The web site already hosts a number of hardware designs along with the relevant Linux drivers.
- LART (http://www.lart.tudelft.nl/)
This project’s goal is to develop a StrongARM-based embedded board that runs Linux. The board schematics and lots of extension modules and software are available from the project’s web site.
- MyLinux (http://www.azpower.com/mylinux/)
This project aims to develop a SuperH-based PDA-like embedded system that runs Linux. The project’s details along with pictures are available from the project’s web site.
- Opencores.ORG (http://www.opencores.org/)
A collection of projects that develop Intellectual Property (IP) cores and distribute them under the terms of the GNU GPL. Quite a few building blocks are already available.
- Simputer (http://www.simputer.org/)
An effort to develop an inexpensive reference hardware platform that runs Linux.
- TuxScreen (http://www.tuxscreen.net/)
Originally a Philips product, TuxScreen is a StrongARM-based platform that includes a phone set, a screen, and a full keyboard. Though no more units are available for purchase, the site includes schematics that may be useful to other projects.
- uClinux boards (http://www.uclinux.org/)
One of the first hardware projects specifically aimed at building an embedded system capable of running Linux. The MMU-less port of Linux originates from this project.