[pocket-linux] New Project, Bigger System

[Richard Stocker]

Reply:

I think it is an excellent idea, and yes it is akin to Linux From 
Scratch, but can be Linux From Scratch that is much more educational.
For me, after a while Linux From Scratch became an exercise in typing 
with minimal thinking and understanding.

I conceptualize a Linux distro as a set of interconnected "modules", 
modules in the sense of building blocks and not in the strict Linux 
sense. The fundamental building block contains the kernel, bootloader, 
shell, and some device files.  Some building blocks depend on several 
other building blocks in addition to the fundamental building block 
while others do not. It is the nature of this interdependency, or 
inter-connectivity, that makes Linux fascinating.   

And, of course, one man's set of building blocks is not necessarily 
another man's set of building blocks. One of the educational goals of 
"Linux System Architecture" would be to present the knowledge needed to 
construct one's own set of blocks.   

The educational value lies in the commentary: why is this so, what are 
the alternatives, etc. How much to say? Somewhere is the spectrum of 
all that is known about computer science to nothing. I have found, in 
trying to understand Linux, that often one can't see the forest for the 
trees. A wealth of info is presented but not the underlying concept(s) 
in a simple, clear fashion. So it becomes like trying to navigate from 
point A to point B without a map.

I would argue the first step in "Linux System Architecture" would be 
partitioning and formatting the hard drive. So one needs to know about 
the various partition table creator/manipulators and file system 
formators. And the pros and cons of the various filesystems.

Regards, Rick


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