- Bitcoin now accepted!
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- Debugger: Overview of New Features
- ASLR and DEP implemented
- Package Management: Building Things
- Package Management: The New Season Starts
- NFSv4 client finally merged
- Update 2: Contracts for Package Management
- Google Code-In 2012 Haiku Wrap Up Report
x86_64 port: quarter term report
As I mentioned in my first blog post, I had exams until a couple of weeks ago, so I didn't start working on my project properly until then. However, I am now working full time so I expect to make a lot more progress in the coming weeks.
So far I have made it possible to compile the kernel for x86_64 by adding stub implementations of all the architecture functions and fixing compilation errors/warnings (all architectures that Haiku supports at the moment are 32-bit, so there were various problems in the code when compiling for 64-bit). I have also made changes to the kernel_args structure (the structure which the bootloader passes to the kernel containing information such as the boot volume, loaded modules and the memory map). As I am making the x86 bootloader able to load both a 32-bit and 64-bit kernel, this structure must be compatible between both. The changes I have made make all members the same size regardless of whether compiling for 32-bit or 64-bit.
I have now begun implementing ELF64 loading into the bootloader so that the 64-bit kernel can be loaded. I expect to have the bootloader work completed by the end of next week, after which I will begin work on the kernel.
My GitHub repository can be found at https://github.com/xyzzy51/haiku/tree/x86_64 (I'm working in the x86_64 branch), for anyone who's interested in following my progress. You'll also see my commits on the haiku-commits list.
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Comments
Re: x86_64 port: quarter term report
Nice to hear of the progress, I personally consider this the most demanding GSOC project as of yet and I really hope you will be able to finish it.
I also see it as having an impact on the attractiveness of Haiku as most people have 64-bit on their desktops these days and not being able to use their computers full potential in terms of cpu (16 cpu registers, sse2 as standard) and perhaps less importantly RAM (4gb+) might be a turn off, particularly for people who regularly use their machines for computationally intense stuff.
Keep up the good work!
Re: x86_64 port: quarter term report