This handy little online “Flash” presentation from K Computing provides an extremely well presented, easy-to-follow, step-by-step mini-tutorial on BusyBox– the Swiss Army Knife of Embedded Linux.

Topics included in the tutorial are . . .

• BusyBox — what is it?
  
• BusyBox — why?
  
• BusyBox — pros and cons
  
• Making BusyBox (downloading, configuring, compiling, linking)

BusyBox includes the functions of many common UNIX utilities within a single small executable. It thereby provides a fairly complete command environment for small or embedded systems, allowing embedded system developers to minimize hardware costs while maintaining a reasonable degree of functionality.

BusyBox has been written with size-optimization and limited resources in mind. The utility's modular architecture also makes it practical to include or exclude specific commands or features at compile time. Systems designers can thereby tune the functionality to the requirements and resources of the specific embedded Linux system. Then, just add a kernel and an editor.

BusyBox is included within a wide array of distributions and products including: Lineo's Embedix Linux, MontaVista's Hard Hat Linux, Debian's boot floppy project, Linux Router Project, Stormix Installer, Trinux, tinynet, and is even included within many Linux-based consumer devices.

BusyBox is a freely distributed open source project, licensed under the GPL. BusyBox was originated by Bruce Perens and is currently maintained by Erik Andersen under the sponsorship of Lineo. Full details on BusyBox are available at http://oss.lineo.com, with ftp downloads available at ftp://oss.lineo.com/busybox.

 
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