This is part-1 of the Embedded Linux Questions which surely gonna help you in your professional interviews. Here we are going to discuss about Toolchain, Kernel headers, blacklist the builtin driverEXPORT_SYMBOL and EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL, etc...

 

What is Toolchain?

  • The Toolchain is a collection of the compiler, library, and other tools to generate executable as per the target architecture.
  • It is a cross-compilation utility that installs on the host system.

 

What is the use of Kernel headers?

  • Kernel headers are used to compile and build the kernel module. It provides the various function and data structure declaration that is used for the modules.
  • Kernel header's version should be the same with the host Linux kernel.

 

Can I disable the builtin drivers from loading?

  1. For the loadable modules:
    • in file /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf, add below line to disable the modules form loading.
    • blacklist <module name>
  2. For built-in module:
    • In the device tree file, which module you want to disable.
    • status = "disabled"

 

What is the advantage of adding __init and __exit to init/exit functions of the Linux Kernel Modules?

  • __init macro has been used to initialize the kernel module. The kernel can reclaim the memory allocated to this module after the initialization process.
  • __exit macro used to remove the module. The kernel can be reclaimed the memory during the shutdown.

 

Difference between EXPORT_SYMBOL and EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL.

  • Both are Macros.
  • EXPORT_SYMBOL- This macro is used when you want to export the (function/variables) of the current module in any other module (whether it has a GPL license or not ).
  • EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL-  It exports the (function/variables) of the current module to only GPL licensed Kernel module.