Your valuable Suggestions / Advise for Beginners in Device Driver Development under Embedded Linux P

[m madhuker <mythri_madhuker@yahoo.com>]

I have been assigned some project based in Device
Driver Development for USB, Printers, IDE, Ethernet
under Embedded Linux.  Since I am a beginner in this
area, I would like to know some details based on the
following clarifications.


1]    Pre-requisite skills / knowledge and concepts to
understand before embarking on the above project.

2]    Typical Project Environment for Device Driver
Development under Embedded Linux Platform.

3]    Ups & Downs of Embedded Linux w.r.t other RTOSes
 ( VxWorks, Psos, Nucleus, QNX, OSEK etc . . . .)
      Please highlight me about the Benchmark details.

4]    Suppose I need to start off with the above
project ( Device Drivers for Printers, Scanners, PDAs,
LCDs,
      Keypads ), what are the essential points to be
kept in mind for smooth running of the project.

5]    What are the Initialization / Installation steps
to be done regarding Embedded Linux. Please declare
      the latest version to be used.  Upon selecting
the RTOS, how should I deal with the selection of
Target
      Board along with the Supporting Tools  ?

6]    Is it sufficient to use C, ignoring C++ & Java
?  Is Assembly Language essential  ?  Which part of C
is
      commonly used in Device Drivers  ?

7]    Please let me know the typical driver size (
Footprint ) for Printer.  What could be the duration
of  the
      project  ?

8]    Highlight me about some of the useful websites,
books / references and contact Email IDs of
Experienced
      Professionals involved in such Projects.

9]    How does the Testing / Debugging takes place  ?
  What are the Test / Debug Tools available for such
      Operations  ?

10]  Please let me know the Optimization Techniques
involved in the Device Driver Development.

11]  In this case of the Project, Linux Porting must
be done prior to writing  Device Drivers. Am I right
?  Kindly
      comment.

12]  What Technical details should I need to
understand under RTOS, C, Embedded Linux  ?  Is it
necessary to
        know any Protocol for Device Driver
Development  ?

13]  How often do you use Oscillators / Logic Analyzer
 ?  Please highlight me about the Connection /
      Installation details.


Please furnish the above details as soon as possible
and oblige. Your assistance in this regard would
greatly benefit towards my successful career under
this area.

Looking forward to hear from you soon,

Appreciating your favorable response

                                           Regards
                                           Madhukar


** Sent via the linuxppc-embedded mail list. See http://lists.linuxppc.org/
** This list is shutting down 7/24/2004.