Embedded Linux: Hardware, Software, and Interfacing 1st Edition

This book is clearly the best reference I have for embedded projects under linux; future and present inclusive. The author covers USB device integration quite well, and gives a well worded approach to mounting and setting up your own usb-devfs.Along with clear examples, the author mainly tries to format the text from an on-lookers prospective to an "embedded ski lift monitor" project- i.e. "My data from working along-side the team" Great effort there-Another pro to this book is that there are many code samples (all but one I got working, first try) that keep the flow of the book geared towards a beginning hardware-level programmer, with teach by example in mind.The biggest down side to the text is the beginning material about setting up the workspace environment. A friend tried the same book, and had much trouble simply because they didn't know what pitfalls to expect when installing Debian. Although, the setup does allow for multiple-processor compilations of source code. A Great plus, and another reason for me using the book as a reference.Out of all the good and bad, this book earned the 4 star rating and with honors. If you want a place to begin embedded systems, and aren't weary of installing a fresh copy of an older model of Debian, have at this book!Hope this helps-

Dr. Hollabaugh has certainly shed useful light on the concept of embedded linux. He intelligently sets the stage and walk you through real steps for deploying a fully embedded linux control and monitoring system. The diagram, table, and code examples will leave you with a very clear understanding of the subject matter (providing you have some background with linux development). Personally, I was totally captivated and found myself extremely happy that I have chosen this book to help thrust foward my own intelligence of embedded linux. This book and website....has become a primary reference for future embedded linux application.

As of 4/2004, the book relies on a free distribution of Hard Hat linux that is no longer available on Montavista's site (as they charge $25K for a single seat, I guess they felt they were giving too much away ;-) HOWEVER: Hollanaugh has copies of them with all of his scripts on his site, so look for them there. His scripts are also now modified to point to the new locations. Though even this distribution is somewhat out of date, this book does a pretty reasonable job of getting you through it all. I found finding free (useful, current) distributions of embedded linux very hard to find but eventually did.. Check out [...] and store.yahoo.com/snapgear/snemlidi.html for current multiplatform distributions. The denx distribution ELDK appears to have morphed from the original Hard Hat distibution as many of the utilities still exist, I used this and was able to "generally" follow along. It's a more recent distribution and supports more platforms (at least for the PPC). I would definately repurchase this book again..His site is:[...]

I have not read the book, but I've known the author since high school (over 20 years) and know how much time and care he put into writing it. I've worked on a couple of projects with Craig and have always been blown away by his technical ability. For this book, he took great care in putting together the hardware and software examples and tested everything himself. In addition, he was meticulous about his research. I can say with great confidence that you will not be disappointed if you buy this book.

The overall impression is good. Focusing an embedded project following a potential practical case is a good idea.Its also a good idea to bring three diferent platforms as a case study, making it clear that linux gives enough abstraction level.I didn't rate it 5 because it relays on hardhat (tm) already built development tools, which is far from being the standrad way to build those tools. Is not that dificult to explain how to make them from source.

I picked this book up -- in a word, excellent. Much of the work in this book is very similar to the current embedded project that my company is working on.The specific hardware related topics, and the pictures of oscilliscopes and block diagrams will make the hardware people in my company happy -- the scripts and code will me the software people happy.This book is well written, comprehensive, and a high recommended text for companies undergoing embedded linux project development.

the book does not contain enough information to be usefull. I would recommend other books such as "building Embedded Linux Systems"

Part I ('Getting Started') is a head start for newbie, but the emphasis is more on setting up a development anddebugging environment for an embedded linux project and not on the process of porting linux for an embedded system.None of the issues related to the porting of kernel loader or porting of the actual kernel for any of the reference targetboards are addressed.Not enough information for a newbie trying to port linux for a custom board.After getting past these issues (with help from resources on web) and having a working kernel on the board, Part II ('Interfacing')of the book is quite useful.