Minix vs Linux for Learning Operating System Design?

Question

I wish to learn operating system design. I was wondering if I should tackle Minix or GNU/Linux in the process? I like books so I would be following mainly a book, though video r

Answer 1

There are other possibilities, FreeBSD or even GNU/Hurd (or even your own toy kernel). And it depends of what you really want to learn.

If you know Linux and what to learn how to write drivers, writing your own Linux driver kernel module is sensible.

It also depends upon your precise definition of Operating System. This is not necessarily the same as an OS kernel

Not all operating systems are "Unix-like", e.g. coyotos, Kangaroo, ... See also tunes.org

J.Pitrat's book Artificial Beings (the conscience of a conscious machine) have interesting insights on what an OS could be.