How To Modify Linux Source Code?

Guest · May 2, 2015

Hey guys, I was wondering how to modify linux? Are there any programming languages that I need to know? What text should I type? I'd like to make my own linux distribution, but it looks like a lot to build.

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

Walk before you run.
Look at, and understand, the source code of whatever Linux distro you want.

getochkn · May 2, 2015

If you don't even know what programming languages to learn, you are in waaaay over your head.

McHenryB · May 2, 2015

You modify the source code with a text editor. What do you want to change?

Guest · May 2, 2015

Excuse me, I meant are there a lot of commands I need to know with the terminal or a text editor? I want to learn how to change the source code but it sounds complicated. I want to know what the text in the source code means & what it does.

skittle · May 2, 2015

Excuse me, I meant are there a lot of commands I need to know with the terminal or a text editor?

Yes there is a lot you need to know.

want to know what the text in the source code means & what it does

You want to make your own distrobution? At this moment in time you are doomed if you cannot even be comfortable with the command line.
I suggest you take an introductory programming course before moving on.

If you feel adventurous:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DerivativeDistroHowto

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

This is what programming courses are for.

"Hi guys. I want to build a car. What metal should I make it out of?"

McHenryB · May 2, 2015

On the contrary, changing the source code is easy.

I want to know what the text in the source code means & what it does.

That's more like it. Knowing what to change, and what to change it to, is the difficult bit.

It sounds as if you are taking about a whole Linux distribution rather than just the kernel. This consists of millions of lines of source code that people have been working on for twenty years or more. If you don't know what any of it means, your chances of successfully modifying it at present compare unfavourably to those monkeys typing Shakespeare.

1. You need to learn how to program in C.

2. You have to learn how to program in x86 assembler.

3. You need to learn the coding conventions used in Linux source code and the functions provided to programs by its various libraries.

4. You need to study the source code of the Linux kernel and the user programs to understand what it does. You'll probably need to read a few books to help you with this.

5. You need to decide which part of the Linux sources you wish to change and what effect you want the change to have.

6. You can then make the change, compile the resulting source, and test it.

7. Repeat 4 & 5 until the changes you make have the desired effect and don't break anything.

8. Repeat 4, 5, & 6 until you have achieved your objective.

Start with point 1. Allow yourself 6 months to a year to become proficient in C. Then you can go on to step 2, and so on.

Guest · May 2, 2015

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed. In-depth instructions. I tried to look up on how to program in C, but I can't find any real books based on how to program. & are there any online videos I could use on how to program in C? I find videos on youtube & those videos go back to like a few years ago so they're outdated.

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

You cannot learn to program in C from a youtube video.

If you can't find any programming books for C, you have not looked.

skittle · May 2, 2015

There is practically an unlimited number of resources for learning C. Unfortunately its not as simple as just watching a few videos and suddenly you know how to program. It takes years of practice to be proficient.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=learn+to+program+c

Guest · May 2, 2015

I did at my library, I can only find C++ programming books. I will have to look further than that.

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

If we equate "Modify Linux Source Code" to climbing Mt. Everest...

Go to your local community college or equivalent.
Take a couple of programming classes.

At the end of those classes, you are at the stage of "qualified to hang a poster of Mt Everest on your wall "

But do go take those classes. Every journey begins with but a single step.

Guest · May 2, 2015

Thank you. I'll try that. I should've started on how to modify the linux kernel first though.

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

No, you should learn and understand a bit of "programming" first.

The Linux kernel comes later. Much, much later.

Guest · May 2, 2015

Are those programming classes you're talking about any age?

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

The community college? In the US...if you are above 16 or so, you can probably enroll.
There are other resources, though, to learn 'programming'. Like thousands.

Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseware, Stanford...

USAFRet · May 2, 2015

What are you actually trying to do?

Guest · May 2, 2015

Thank you! I forgot about Khan Academy, my mom signed me up for that. I never took the programming lessons, I'll try that. Thank you very much.

Someone Somewhere · May 3, 2015

One thing I'll say is that you're probably looking at the wrong stuff to change. If an OS is a house, modifying the linux kernel is like changing the foundations.

You probably want to change the furniture, wall coverings and carpet.

I suggest that you start by installing a typical linux OS, then find out what there is you don't like about it, or think you can do better. I'd be highly surprised if you needed to touch the kernel (beyond, at most, using pre-made patches).

Guest · May 3, 2015

I'll do what you said. I'd like to start off with Linux Mint first. Thank you. & when you mean change the furniture, carpet, & wall coverings, do you mean changing the looks of the linux distro & adding/removing stuff to it?

Someone Somewhere · May 3, 2015

Yup. For example, swapping Cinnamon for KDE.

I'm not so sure how to integrate it into a new distro, though.

jacobian · May 4, 2015

It can literally take four years of college to simply have an idea of how the operating system kernels work. In case of Linux, or any other unix-like OS, knowing C and C systems programming is the key as all those OSes were built around the C programming language. You may want to check out the wikipedia article on C, Unix, and Linux to get some general idea.

Guest · May 4, 2015

If linux has the C programming language & other languages built inside the linux kernel, what about C++?

dmroeder · May 4, 2015

Definitely go to classes but if you want to get a look at C, check this out.

The kernel its self is mostly written in C. A lot of the user programs may be written in C++ (amongst other languages).

How To Modify Linux Source Code?

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