It will require designing the entire system from basic components, building core features, and testing thoroughly.
It will require designing the entire system from basic components, building core features, and testing thoroughly.
Linux? /s It demands a lot. If you possess the necessary theoretical understanding, you’ll likely land on TempleOS or Linux, with little in between. Focusing on smaller, more achievable tasks (like a single-day or one-week project) helps build your skills without overwhelming you. Otherwise, you risk burning out.
Begin by examining the amount of code in the Linux kernel. It presently holds roughly 28 million lines, a substantial figure. Such complexity requires developers spanning generations to complete. For context, Unreal Engine 3 features about 2 million lines, and even that would take years. https://www.informationisbeautiful.net/v...s-of-code/ To put it simply, the kernel remains a massive undertaking. If you're interested in deeper details, check the figures for Windows or Debian, though those are from older releases and already exceed 50 million lines.
Creating an account was enough to motivate me to start. Building a simple operating system is doable, though it won’t match the smoothness of Windows or Linux. Still, crafting a compact OS capable of basic functions is entirely feasible—try Serenity OS! If you aim for something more competitive, it will require significant effort. Here are some resources to help you begin: https://www.learn-c.org/ https://wiki.osdev.org/Main_Page
Here are some relevant links to hobby operating system projects you might find interesting:
- Temple OS: Terry Davis' initiative to develop his own OS for programming https://templeos.org/
- Redox: A Unix-like system built in Rust https://www.redox-os.org/
- ReactOS: Designed for compatibility with Windows apps https://reactos.org/
- Other successful hobby OS projects: https://wiki.osdev.org/Advanced_Projects
- More hobby operating systems: https://wiki.osdev.org/Projects
Keep in mind, these aren’t typically used as everyday drivers. Creating an OS involves a huge amount of effort—writing kernels, filesystems, drivers, memory management, and more. It’s time-consuming and complex, which is why most hobby projects lack visual interfaces or polished GUIs. Once you establish a solid base, the focus shifts to building a user-friendly interface and supporting software. Even then, competing with Windows and Linux remains a significant challenge due to their extensive testing, hardware support, and developer backing.
However, there’s a way around this: you don’t always need to build everything from scratch. You can leverage existing kernels like Linux or FreeBSD and extend them with your own desktop and applications. This approach is the basis for distros such as ElementaryOS, PopOS, and the FreeBSD ecosystem: https://hellosystem.github.io/docs/
Opt for a fresh OS project instead of modifying an existing one. Consider Redox or building a freeDOS graphical interface.