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stb

Member

Registered: 2007-03-13

Posts: 40

Advice on writing kernel module for old pen device (ISA)

I have not really a programming question, I need an advice.

I have an old mobile computer for which no driver exists for the pen pointing device yet. Although it has USB so I can use a mice, it would be very nice if I could use the pen under linux. It came to my mind that this could be a good start to get into kernel programming since I have a problem to solve. It functions well under Windows NT and I know the address range it uses from driver.

So, I have no imagination how hard it can be to program a device driver without any documentation. I need basically an advice on what the possible caveats may be and if I should start the project at all.

iphitus

Forum Fellow

From: Melbourne, Australia

Registered: 2004-10-09

Posts: 4,927

Re: Advice on writing kernel module for old pen device (ISA)

So, I have no imagination how hard it can be to program a device driver without any documentation. I need basically an advice on what the possible caveats may be and if I should start the project at all.

well, there's documentation

Kernelnewbies.org is a good place to start. Heaps of documentation, and importantly, help for when you get stuck.

Firstly, if you want a good introduction the kernel, there's Robert Love's Linux Kernel Development.
I bought this one myself, it's a really good read, well written, and covers lots of interesting things.
http://www.amazon.com/Linux-Kernel-Deve … 0672327201

Then, there's Linux Device Drivers, 3rd Ed. Edition is important, Ed3 is 2.6.x, Ed2 is 2.4.x. Big difference.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linux-Device-Dr … 874&sr=8-1
This is available for free in PDF:
http://lwn.net/Kernel/LDD3/

Hope that helps,

James

Dusty

Schwag Merchant

From: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Registered: 2004-01-18

Posts: 5,986

Website

Re: Advice on writing kernel module for old pen device (ISA)

Also search this forum (General Programming) for a few of my topics from the last year or so. I asked some questions about kernel hacking for filesystems and USB drivers. I didn't get much response, but knowing me, I posted links to things I'd found on google. I haven't posted all that much here, so the topics should stand out.

Dusty

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