scarab-learning

Learning Risc-V through OS Dev

RISC-V OS Development Curriculum

Phase 1: Fundamentals

1. RISC-V ISA and Assembly Basics

   • Register set, instruction formats
   • Basic arithmetic, logic operations
   • Memory access patterns
   • Build: Simple calculator program

2. Memory and Stack Management

   • Stack operations, calling conventions
   • Memory layout, sections
   • Build: Function call framework with parameter passing

3. Bare Metal Programming

   • Boot sequence
   • CSR manipulation
   • UART initialization
   • Build: Bootloader with UART output

4. Privilege Levels and Exceptions

   • M/S/U modes
   • Trap handling
   • CSR programming
   • Build: Exception handler framework

Phase 2: Core OS Components

5. Memory Management Unit

   • Page tables setup
   • Virtual memory mapping
   • TLB management
   • Build: Basic virtual memory system

6. Device Discovery

   • Device tree parsing
   • MMIO handling
   • PCI enumeration
   • Build: Hardware discovery subsystem

7. Interrupt Controller

   • PLIC/CLINT setup
   • IRQ handling
   • Timer configuration
   • Build: Interrupt management system

8. Process Management

   • Context switching
   • Process states
   • Scheduling algorithms
   • Build: Cooperative multitasking

Phase 3: Hardware Integration

9. Device Drivers Framework

   • Driver model
   • Device abstraction
   • Resource management
   • Build: Driver registration system

10. GPU/Graphics Discovery

    • Graphics hardware detection
    • Framebuffer setup
    • Basic acceleration probing
    • Build: Graphics subsystem initialization

11. AI Accelerator Integration

    • Neural engine detection
    • Acceleration interfaces
    • Resource allocation
    • Build: AI hardware abstraction layer

12. Custom Hardware Support

    • Custom MMIO handling
    • Hardware-specific drivers
    • Extension discovery
    • Build: Custom hardware integration framework

Phase 4: Language and Runtime Support

13. C/Rust Integration

    • FFI interfaces
    • ABI compatibility
    • Memory models
    • Build: Language runtime support

14. Package Management

    • Package format
    • Dependency resolution
    • Version management
    • Build: Basic package manager

15. Dynamic Loading

    • ELF parsing
    • Dynamic linking
    • Symbol resolution
    • Build: Dynamic loader

16. System Calls

    • Syscall interface
    • Parameter passing
    • Return handling
    • Build: Syscall framework

Phase 5: Advanced Features

17. Networking Stack

    • Protocol integration
    • Network device management
    • Custom protocol support
    • Build: Network subsystem

18. Filesystem Integration

    • VFS layer
    • Custom FS support
    • Buffer management
    • Build: Filesystem framework

19. Resource Management

    • Memory pools
    • Device sharing
    • Power management
    • Build: Resource manager

20. System Integration

    • Component integration
    • Boot sequence
    • Configuration
    • Build: Complete OS

Each lesson includes:

• Theory component
• Hands-on implementation
• Testing framework
• Integration with previous components
• Documentation requirements

Final project combines all components into a functional OS with:

• Hardware discovery
• Resource management
• Language support
• Package management
• Custom protocol handling
• Graphics/AI acceleration support