QNX Releases Free Driver Development Kits
Starting immediately, software developers can download five new Driver Development Kits (DDKs) for the QNX® realtime platform.
The new DDKs-Graphics, Input, Printer, Networking, and USB-are all available free of charge on the QNX Developer's Network, at http://qdn.qnx.com/ddks. A sixth DDK, Audio, will be available later this month.
Each QNX DDK comes complete with sample drivers, libraries, headers, and documentation so that developers can get started right away. In addition, QNX Software Systems has created several newsgroups (qdn.public.ddk.graphics, qdn.public.ddk.input, etc.) to keep driver developers up-to-date on the latest tools and techniques.
The QNX DDKs are freely available to anyone, including OEMs, consultants, enthusiasts, and computer hardware manufacturers.
No Kernel Programming Required
In most OSs, drivers run in the OS kernel, forcing developers to engage in sometimes difficult-and often time-consuming-kernel programming. But the new QNX DDKs require no kernel programming, since QNX drivers run outside the kernel, in memory-protected user space.
For instance, all driver debugging in QNX is done with the same intuitive, source-level tools used for debugging user applications. No need for specialized kernel debuggers or kernel developers. And to test changes to driver code, developers can simply recompile and restart the driver. Kernel rebuilds are eliminated.
To further accelerate driver development, QNX Software Systems has implemented a driver framework that handles the default behaviors common to most devices. As a result, developers are free to concentrate on the low-level details specific to their device.
Availability
Beta versions of the new QNX DDKs are available free of charge at http://qdn.qnx.com/ddks. Commercial versions of the DDKs (which will also be free of charge) are scheduled for release in June 2001.
The QNX realtime platform-a complete, self-hosted development environment for embedded developers-is available free of charge for non-commercial use at http://get.qnx.com.
About QNX Software Systems
Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems is the industry leader in realtime, microkernel OS technology. The company has established a strong customer base in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, consumer electronics, transportation, medical instrumentation, process control, and point-of-sale. QNX products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide. Visit www.qnx.com.
QNX Software Systems Ltd., 175 Terence Matthews Crescent, Kanata, ON K2M 1W8. Tel: 613-591-0931; Fax: 613-591-3579.