Step by Step OS Development: Novix for RISC-V 64 (Part 1)

Build Your Own 64-Bit RISC-V Operating System: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever wondered about the inner workings of a computer – how it boots up and how an operating system emerges from a single line of code? This hands-on course guides you through the process of creating your own 64-bit RISC-V operating system, built from the ground up. No prior experience needed!

What You'll Learn:

• RISC-V Development Environment Setup: Start with a clean Linux virtual machine and configure a modern RISC-V development environment using Clang/LLVM, QEMU, and VS Code.
• Operating System Fundamentals: Design and implement every layer of a real operating system, from bare-metal boot code to a fully functional shell.
• Low-Level Programming: Master boot processes, linker scripts, and kernel code development in both C and assembly language.
• Essential OS Components: Implement UART communication, interrupts, and essential device drivers.
• Kernel Development: Gain practical experience in writing kernel code, understanding system calls, and managing memory.
• Process Management: Build a working scheduler and process management system.
• System Calls: Implement core system calls like fork(), exec(), wait(), and exit().
• Memory Management: Develop memory management techniques and a custom heap allocator.
• Userland Shell: Create a functioning userland shell capable of running commands such as ls, ps, mem, date, and echo.
• Debugging & Memory Tracking: Implement debugging and memory tracking tools to identify and resolve memory leaks.
• Advanced Logging: Implement an advanced logging system for better system monitoring.

No Prior Experience Required:

This course is designed for beginners. With only basic C knowledge, you can follow along and build a working RISC-V 64-bit operating system.

Part 1 Deliverables:

By the end of Part 1, you'll have built:

• A 64-bit RISC-V microkernel that boots and runs on QEMU.
• UART communication for console input/output.
• A working scheduler and process management system.
• Core system calls like fork(), exec(), wait(), and exit().
• Memory management and a custom heap allocator.
• A functioning userland shell with basic commands.
• Debugging and memory tracking tools.
• An advanced logging system.

What Makes This Course Unique:

• 100% Hands-On: Unlike theoretical courses, this is a practical, build-as-you-go experience. You'll write and test code throughout.
• Detailed Explanations: Every module begins with clear explanations, followed by fully explained and tested C and assembly code. Each function is described in detail.
• Minimalist Design: Novix OS is designed to be minimal yet powerful, focusing on core concepts for deep understanding.
• Understand the "Why": You won't just build a shell; you'll understand why it works.

Looking Ahead:

Part 2 will extend Novix OS with real-world features, including a file server, network stack, windowing system, advanced IPC, and scheduling.

Start your journey from kernel to complete operating environment today!

(c) NovixManiac — The Art of Operating Systems Development

"We don’t just teach operating systems. We teach how to think like one."