Top choice for the smallest server setup. Ideal for integration with a PI system.
Top choice for the smallest server setup. Ideal for integration with a PI system.
You're looking for a lightweight OS that supports the C POSIX standard and has easy Wi-Fi setup. It should focus on running your data collection programs and serving a few apps, with minimal extra features. Perfect for your current needs.
You can experiment with buildroot to create an extremely basic embedded Linux distribution. Just set it up for Raspberry Pi and compile your applications yourself. It offers the most stripped-down setup available, unlike other Pi-based distros that come with more tools and packages.
here are a few interesting options to explore: makeuseof has a tag for lightweight operating systems on raspberry pi, gentoo offers a version with strong software support, arch is recommended for those with experience and prefer stability, and dietpi might suit casual users looking for flexibility. from my own experience, each distro has its strengths depending on your needs.