Selecting the right operating system

Is Linux suitable for your project? Linux works well where the problem being solved justifies the complexity. It is especially good where connectivity, robustness, and complex user interfaces are required. However it cannot solve every problem, so here are some things to consider before you jump in:

• Is your hardware up to the job? Compared to a traditional RTOS (real-time operating system) such as VxWorks, Linux requires a lot more resources. It needs at least a 32-bit processor, and lots more memory. I will go into more detail in the section on typical hardware requirements.
• Do you have the right skill set? The early parts of a project, board bring-up, require detailed knowledge of Linux and how it relates to your hardware. Likewise, when debugging and tuning your application, you will need to be able to interpret the results. If you don't have the skills in-house you may want to outsource some of the work. Of course, reading this book helps!
• Is your system real-time? Linux can handle many real-time activities so long as you pay attention to certain details, which I will cover in detail in Chapter 14, Real-time Programming.

Consider these points carefully. Probably the best indicator of success is to look around for similar products that run Linux and see how they have done it; follow best practice.