[maemo-developers] [maemo-developers] Driver development for Maemo

[From: Riku Voipio]

On Wednesday 23 November 2005 01:12, Dieter Govaerts wrote:
> 1) As is stands now, I would probably have to implement a virtual
> filesystem on the mobile device which would require me to develop the
> necessary systemdrivers for it. Is there a driver development kit
> available or is this included in the SDK?

You can either create a linux kernel (nothing maemo-specific) or a 
gnome-vfs[1] module (also not maemo-specific), which easier 
and good enough, if you only need the VFS only for your own applications.

Oh, and one easy option is write your own nfs server, and use stock nfs client
on your maemo device. There is already several userland nfs servers, like 
pinefs[2] which is written in python and should be easy to adapt for many 
purposes...

> 2) Is it possible to develop such a driver in a reasonable timeframe? I
> don't want to spend a few years finishing my Master thesis. I'm not
> afraid to dig deep for this, I just want to know if it can be done by 1
> person or if its better to stick with M$ on this.

It is indeed possible to write a (simple) new filesystem in a year. Even a 
kernel driver, but it depends on your skills and learning abilities. FWIW, if 
you really need to write a new filesystem driver, windows is going to be a 
lot *harder*. there is hardly any third party filesystems for windows, while 
people have written support for 40+ filesystems in mainline kernel alone.

> 3) Is there any place or person were I can redirect my questions to
> regarding driver development for Maemo?

google[3] and various other places like LDD book[4]. 

Cheers,
Riku

[1] http://developer.gnome.org/doc/API/gnome-vfs/
[2] http://www.panix.com/~asl2/software/Pinefs/
[3] http://www.google.com/
[4] http://lwn.net/Kernel/LDD3/