First steps to develop a driver

[ovidiucucu]

Hello everybody,

To break the ice, a general beginner question:
What software (SDK), programming knowledge, documentation, and so on are required to get started?


Regards,
Ovidiu

[Mick]

Well the obvious one right away would be to order the DDK from microsoft ;)

Driver homepage:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/default.mspx

2. A good understanding of the windows architecture. There are a number of windows internals books on the market for the various operating systems. I would suggest getting them.

3. Adequate debugging skills. Get familiar with windbg (and have two machines + a serial cable) or buy SoftIce (standalone kernel debugger).

4. You can integrate the DDK with the VC++ IDE fairly easy if you are aware of how to build code outside of the IDE (the build enviroment).

5. Get the Microsoft Driver references. You should be able to find and order those via the homepage.

[people sometime overlook these simple things below]

6. The DDK has help associated with it (<install dir>\HELP). Read the help it covers many topics in driver development.

7. Look and try the samples that are provided in the DDK.

8. If your thinking of using C++ read...

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver/kernel/KMcode.mspx

[ovidiucucu]

Thanks Mick!

Ready to go... ;)