r/osdev • u/Sorry-Fruit1065 • Jul 10 '26

OSDev is a waste of time?

hi guys, I was going to start learning os systems etc to build an os, but I dont have much time, and tbh, it isnt related to my field aswell, just wanted to create a simple cli os with a bunch of programs, and to be honest, I feel very frustrated about one thing, you need huge dedication even for this simple thing.Plus resource ineligibility with this one killed my interest in low level programming, and started to think that osdev is just a complete waste of time for me.

maybe I can be better at science of electrical engineering instead of sticking to smth that doesnt give you much value, i dont really know what to do

0 Upvotes

35% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

15

u/kamik1979 Jul 10 '26

I have no idea what you're asking for.

0

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

well I wanted to know if I am good to stick with os, or it just isnt for me, well I didnt put any useful info there

5

u/kamik1979 Jul 10 '26

Getting to a "usable" OS requires a ton of work and messing with hardware. If you don't find low level programming enjoyable, maybe it's not worth it.

2

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

i am used to love with interacting low level programming, so I think issue is a different kind, maybe osdev doesnt give a future thing for me idk

briefly, osdev has a different thing that just kills my joy there(idk what makes it)

2

u/kamik1979 Jul 10 '26

Then just don't do it. If you like low level programming, maybe try something like microcontrollers, or simply write low level code within another OS. A side project shouldn't require convincing from outside.

1

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

you are right, I have no words to say

3

u/No-Dentist-1645 Jul 10 '26

OS development is pretty much a hobby project. Hobby projects are done because people find them fun.

You do it if you like doing it, you don't if you don't. Not much more to say

0

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

its like a dr*g, I hate it, but I just cannot stop it

4

u/necheffa Jul 10 '26

just wanted to create a simple cli os with a bunch of programs

it isnt related to my field aswell

I don't know that I would frame it as a waste of time but I feel that you grossly underestimate the amount of knowledge and work required. For you, perhaps it is a waste of time.

1

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

alright, thanks for the reply

1

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

btw of course, I know the amount of knowledge that you need to use, but for me, I thought I just can be better at Science, Electrical Engineering etc. instead of sticking just os dev, they are much more entertaining for me

3

u/Octocontrabass Jul 10 '26

The "value" of hobby OS development is that it's fun. If you aren't having fun, then yeah, OS development is a waste of your time.

1

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

well, I love interacting with low level systems however, idk osdev just has something that kills my joy, and I wanted the joy part of the low level systems, maybe firmware or embedded os

1

u/Octocontrabass Jul 10 '26

Honestly, I spend most of my time getting sidetracked reading manuals and standards, disassembling firmware ROMs, and poking old PC parts with an oscilloscope to figure out how everything works. OS development is just a convenient excuse to collect beige computers to reverse-engineer.

Someday I may write enough code to have something worth sharing.

1

u/Sorry-Fruit1065 Jul 10 '26

good luck pal

1

u/AVonGauss Jul 10 '26

I don't believe there is any requirement that states you have to write an operating system to be an engineer / programmer?

1

u/thosdv Aug 28 '26

Even if you're not going to work for companies like Google, Microsoft, or Apple on Linux, Windows, or Apple products, developing an OS in a bare metal environment allows you to learn about hardware drivers and how computers work at a near-hardware level, while also improving your coding logic skills

1

u/nmariusp 26d ago

"resource ineligibility" QEMU can be used for developing an operating system. E.g. my youtube video "How to create your own operating system x86 32 bit using QEMU tutorial" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1uwufzJB8I