Agenda for Training course The Yocto Project - An Overview

Introduction

• Is it really necessary to use another version of the toolchain/libraries/packages for each and every GNU/Linux project and an top of that to follow a different work-flow?
• Can you ensure that the development environment is identical for all developers/suppliers and that you can still produce identical builds like today in 10+ years from now?
• Can the YP help find out under what software licenses the packages you use are licensed?

Hands-on sessions are performed on target hardware. After the training the students will be able to download a docker image with Ubuntu 18.x and all dependencies pre-installed plus the examples in order to work with the course material in their own labs. Please note that this is not an introductory course to Embedded GNU/Linux like the one we offer here. You should already know how Embedded GNU/Linux works and maybe you even configured/built the Linux kernel for some of your projects.

Who should attend?

You already use GNU/Linux for your projects and have probably heard about the Yocto Project, but did not dare to have a closer look into it, or had difficulties using it. You don’t know whether and how your daily workflow can be accommodated in the YP and generally find the YP rather complicated. Why do we need all this since up to know everything was (supposedly) much easier? After the training you should be able to decide whether you need the YP or not. The workshop is aimed at software engineers who are involved with system design, development, integration or quality insurance and anybody else interested in OpenEmbedded or the Yocto Project. You should have a solid knowledge of Embedded GNU/Linux.

Requirements

• Experience with Software development under Linux
• Familiarity with a Unix-based operating system
• Familiarity with C/C++ toolchains
• Familiarity with git

All the training material is English, but the presentation of it can be in English or in German, as you wish.

The work- and reference books typically stay with the students after the training.

Course Outline

Day 1:

• Introduction into OpenEmbedded/Yocto Project
  • Goal: Learn what OpenEmbedded/Yocto Project (OE/YP) is and what it is not
    Gain history and Background information        
    Know where to find documentation1s and help        
    Learn how to get in contact with the developers
• Getting started with OpenEmbedded/Yocto Project (highly practical)
  • Goal: Gain basic but practical insight by getting your feet wet
• Introduction into BitBake
  • Goal: Understand the build-system which OE/YP is build on        
    Study the BitBake syntax        
    See how the BitBake build process works        
    Learn how to write your own recipes and configuration files

Day 2:

• Introduction into OpenEmbedded/Yocto Project
  • Goal: Understand which features OE/YP provides        
    Get familiar with the task pipeline        
    Learn to write new recipes or customize recipes provided by OE/YP        
    Study how to generate custom images and what SDK means
    Learn to work with the tools provided by OE/YP (wic, test frameworks, ...)

Day 3:

• Build your own BSP
  • Goal: Basic understanding of creating and maintaining a custom BSP in OE/YP
    Learn how to create your own machine configuration
    Get familiar with integrating U-Boot        
    Understand how to integrate your custom kernel
    Learn how to boot your new kernel and image on real hardware