Learn basic C skills, using a book like K.N. King’s C: A Modern Approach. This should take at least three months, I would guess. Pick up some data structures and algorithms. You don’t need a complete or advanced course, but I would at least cover sorting and searching, binary trees, and priority queues. Study systems programming and computer architecture. Maybe Computer Systems: A Programmer’s Perspective by Bryant and O’Hallaron. Learn assembly language. Maybe Modern X86 Assembly Programming by Kusswurm. Modern Operating Systems by Andrew Tanenbaum. With this course, you should be able to develop a basic kernel and get a shell / filesystem. It will take time, so be patient. Go as slow as you need. Maybe if you are fast, you can go from zero to a primitive kernel in a couple years? There’s some overlap in the material above so make your own judgments about what material to focus on and what material to gloss over. Answer from EpochVanquisher on reddit.com
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GitHub
github.com › Krimson-Squad › LinuxKernel_DevRoadmap
GitHub - Krimson-Squad/LinuxKernel_DevRoadmap: Linux Kernel Developer Roadmap · GitHub
Linux Kernel Developer Roadmap. Contribute to Krimson-Squad/LinuxKernel_DevRoadmap development by creating an account on GitHub.
Starred by 42 users
Forked by 13 users
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/c_programming › what’s a good roadmap to learn os kernel development from scratch?
r/C_Programming on Reddit: What’s a good roadmap to learn OS kernel development from scratch?
July 10, 2025 -

Hi, I want to start learning OS kernel development but I don’t know anything about C or where to begin — I’m a complete beginner.
I’ve tried Googling and even asked ChatGPT, but the answers confused me.
Can anyone suggest a simple, step-by-step path or key topics to focus on for learning both C and OS kernel development? i've also interested learning malware development with C
Thanks!

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GitHub
github.com › kamranahmedse › developer-roadmap › issues › 4085
[NEW ROADMAP] Linux Kernel Developer · Issue #4085 · kamranahmedse/developer-roadmap
June 19, 2023 - It will be beneficial for people wanting to deep dive into the heart of the Linux operating system. Here is a textual roadmap for this: Linux Kernel Developer Roadmap Introduction to Linux and the Kernel What is Linux? What is the Linux ...
Author   kamranahmedse
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Linux Foundation
training.linuxfoundation.org › home › development › a beginner’s guide to linux kernel development (lfd103)
A Beginner’s Guide to Linux Kernel Development (LFD103) - Linux Foundation - Education
September 2, 2020 - Through this course you will learn how to select and configure your development system, about Linux Kernel repositories and releases, Git basics including checking out kernel repositories and working with them, how to build and install a kernel, Linux kernel enforcement standards, how to write kernel patches and test them, how to communicate with the kernel community, how to send patches, how to act on feedback from reviewers and more.
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Thelinuxchannel
thelinuxchannel.org › 2024 › 06 › roadmap-how-to-become-linux-kernel-developer-device-drivers-programmer-and-a-systems-software-expert-classes-courses
Roadmap – How to become Linux Kernel Developer – Device Drivers Programmer and a Systems Software Expert #classes #courses – The Linux Channel
September 6, 2024 - Many viewers and even sometimes my students ask me how I can become a kernel programmer or just device driver developer and so on. So here is my YouTube video (and an add-on video) where I summarized steps and a road-map to become a full-fledged Linux Kernel Developer.
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Answer Overflow
answeroverflow.com › m › 1118234539198795846
linux kernel development roadmap - Computer Programming - Seneca Polytechnic College
June 13, 2023 - sorry for asking too much question, i does anyone have a good roadmap to be a kernel development.
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Linux Kernel
docs.kernel.org › process › development-process.html
A guide to the Kernel Development Process — The Linux Kernel documentation
The purpose of this document is to help developers (and their managers) work with the development community with a minimum of frustration. It is an attempt to document how this community works in a way which is accessible to those who are not intimately familiar with Linux kernel development ...
Find elsewhere
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Medium
medium.com › @mukulkathpalia › my-journey-into-linux-kernel-internals-a-beginners-roadmap-60350eccdae6
My Journey Into Linux Kernel Internals — A Beginner’s Roadmap | by Mukul Kathpalia | Medium
August 15, 2025 - Understand the core responsibilities and design philosophy behind the Linux kernel. Recognize the benefits of open source and global collaboration. Set up a safe playground (VM) for hands-on experiments.
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Linux Foundation Training
training.linuxfoundation.org › home › linux kernel development
Linux Kernel Development - Linux Foundation - Education
November 13, 2020 - Open Source Best Practice A Beginner’s Guide to Open Source Software Development (LFD102) Learn the key concepts in developing open source software. ... Linux Kernel Development A Beginner’s Guide to Linux Kernel Development (LFD103) Learn how to become a Linux kernel developer and contributor.
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Linux Kernel
kernel.org › doc › html › v4.10 › process › howto.html
HOWTO do Linux kernel development — The Linux Kernel documentation
It describes a list of relatively simple problems that need to be cleaned up and fixed within the Linux kernel source tree. Working with the developers in charge of this project, you will learn the basics of getting your patch into the Linux kernel tree, and possibly be pointed in the direction of what to go work on next, if you do not already have an idea.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
x203 Roadmap - How to become Linux Kernel Developer Device Drivers Programmer #education #tutorial - YouTube
Give a LIKE, if you are looking for more such niche video topics. Thank you 👍LINUX KERNEL & SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING CLASSES: https://thelinuxchannel.org/courses...
Published   June 25, 2020
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Udemy
udemy.com › it & software
Introduction to Linux Kernel Development
September 14, 2024 - Develop a loadable kernel module to add entries into /proc (procfs) filesystem1:02:23 · In this lecture, I will teach you how to create a loadable kernel module to interface the /proc (procfs) filesystem. You will learn how to expose a kernel variable (jiffies) via /proc interface. You will also learn the technique used to learn new APIs within the Linux kernel and adapt yourself to the rapidly evolving kernel ecosystem.
Rating: 4.4 ​ - ​ 6 votes
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GitHub
github.com › kamranahmedse › developer-roadmap › issues › 630
Roadmap for Linux Kernel Developer · Issue #630 · kamranahmedse/developer-roadmap
November 5, 2019 - The scope covers to much extent the end to end web development road-map. What do you think about a roadmap for Linux Kernel Developer?
Author   kamranahmedse
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The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide
sysprog21.github.io › lkmpg
The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide
May 27, 2026 - This chapter introduces the guide, outlines the basic development environment, and builds up from the first loadable module. The emphasis is on getting a working workflow in place before moving on to the broader kernel interfaces used by more capable modules. The Linux Kernel Module Programming ...
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GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › 5-tips-to-make-a-career-as-a-linux-kernel-developer
5 Tips to Make a Career as a Linux Kernel Developer | GeeksforGeeks
May 9, 2025 - Developers working on the Linux kernel are responsible for writing code that interacts directly with the system’s hardware, including managing memory, controlling devices, and ensuring the system runs smoothly.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/kernel › i want to learn linux kernel development, but i have no idea where to start.
r/kernel on Reddit: I want to learn Linux kernel development, but I have no idea where to start.
January 3, 2025 -

Hello,

As mentioned in the header, I have no idea where to start learning about the Linux kernel. I feel like I’m even worse than a beginner because I don’t have any knowledge of Linux programming, kernels, drivers, etc.

I do have a solid understanding of the C programming language in Ubuntu environment.

I have planned to enroll in an academy that specializes in teaching Linux, covering topics from system programming to device drivers and Yocto.

Here is the chronological roadmap of the courses offered by the academy:

  1. Mastering Linux System Programming

  2. Mastering Linux Kernel Programming

  3. Embedded Linux Drivers & Yocto

My question is, where should I start learning to get a good grasp of the basics before moving on to Linux system programming? Your suggestions and tips would be very helpful in my learning journey.