Do you tink it is possible for a...

[carbonBased]

Personally, I agree with Katalinger... although maybe not with his tactics.

I'd like to see a mature OS developed by this age group; not just a boot sector and a 2k kernel stored linearly on a format-less floppy.

Of course I'm not saying it's impossible; simply highly unlikely.  Of the "young" programmers I've met, most were ahead of their class, and therefore _extremely_ cocky.  Problem is, ahead of the class at 5 isn't ahead of much, and cockiness usually leads to stagnant skills; "I don't need to learn anything new, I'm the best."

Don't get me wrong, I've met some extremely talented programmers much younger then I (and I still feel the need to point out how incredibly cocky they were) but most of their skills set was limited.  Sure, they could program the most extensive GUI you've ever seen in QBasic, but a linked-list was unheard of.

I also don't want to discourage or flame any of these young developers; it's impressive to see, but I fear many of them have bit off more then they can chew (if not, then you can take this as a challenge to prove me wrong).

And lastly; the best QBasic programmer _cannot_ jump start into C and assembly (without any prior knowledge) and write an OS from scratch.  Now, I know that statement is gonna piss off a lot of people, to the point where I considered changing "cannot" to "should not," but I think either is correct.  An operating system is hardly the place to start when learning a new language.  It can be far too discouraging, and may completely turn you off of C and/or assembly in the process (despite their infinite power over basic interpreters).

Cheers,
Jeff

PS: You know the speal (sp?) about personal opinions...

[TheUbu]

Hey,

It goes pretty much like everyone else said start on a simple system learn the basics. In time your skills will mature enough to take on a more advanced architecture such as IA-32 or AA-64.

Good Luck

[mikeleany]

Everything you said does fit a lot of kid programmers, but not everybody. However, for one, not every kid programmer uses qbasic. I used pascal, and would have used C if I had access to it, which I did in high school. So, how about we turn your statements into advice rather than criticism - for kids AND adults.
1. Don't be cocky - no matter who you are or what you can do!
2. Don't be an idiot, learn EVERYTHING you can, and don't think you already know everthing.
3. If you want to be a real programmer, learn a real language, and not just basic. (In MY personal opinion, don't learn basic at all, because it's just crap.)
4. Before you start ANY major project in ANY language, make sure you have a GOOD working knowledge of the language.

As for biting off more than you can chew: it happens, get used to it. If you find that you have, don't get discouraged, just start taking smaller bites. Biting off more that you can chew is better than not doing anything because your afraid you can't handle it.

Does that about cover it?

[VoidLogic]

I agree with both of you, but i think it is important to stress that an OS should not be a first, third, forth, etc project. Most talented young programmers are ahead of their peer have a quick and adaptive grasp of syntax; however, they lack "in class room" (/book) skills such as planning, scalability and and things such as, "should my kernel micro and modular, or monolithic". My advice would be write other things, like real mode DOS and later PMode DOS Utilitys and Games etc. I'm not saying its impossible for a very young programmer to be algorithmically mature, it is just extremly rare.

VoidLogic

P.S. Nothing is worse than cocky young programmers/script kiddies

P.S.S. If your one of those young programers, as well as taking  xSadar's advice, make sure you can:
1. Use ASM and C and C++ and can tell where to use which.
2. Can use pointers, typecast, and classes (and other fund.s)
3. Study up on your OS theory
4. and last know your platform (hardware specs, etc)

[Mrminux]

Yes, I started Programming at 10(It was kinda confusing) But now i am a very good programmer. I had an OS(Dos like) done(at 12) but i let my friend on my computer and then well....But im working on a new one now based on some old code i found on backup disks.

[Mrminux]

Yes, I started Programming at 10(It was kinda confusing) But now i am a very good programmer. I had an OS(Dos like) done(at 12) but i let my friend on my computer and then well....But im working on a new one now based on some old code i found on backup disks. oh and im only 13.

[kataklinger]

Don't tell me about that things! There is no reasons to tell you about my start because I assume you don't know what is C64 or you havn't seen it yet.
You can START learning things with 11 years (or earlyer) but write an OS, AHAHHAAHHA. 11 years old boy should learn C,C++,ASM,advanced algorithms,hardware and other things first and that will take him up many years.
You can't do it with qbasic
And ofcourse I would like to see your OS and others too from your group.

[KidProgrammer]

1. It is just POSSILE I would do something like this anytime soon.

2. This isn't my main goal. Right now, I am working on a Web Portal, so far stored on my computer, and don't look up to it to be as good as yahoo---but anyway, I figure the founders of Yahoo! became the youngest billionaires (Not looking to be that lucky) so if I can get wealthy (I don't like to use the R word) I figure it would help to get an OS going.

3. Im tree and I am a liar, stupid person, and a pessimist (Just to get back at you)

4. I certainly don't know everything

5. I know a little bit of everything as programming goes... probably need to study on one language.

[Mara]

Now I'm sure you will do it because of three things:

1- You called your self "Stupid". This means that you aren't sure that you are intelligent but you think that you are. You have many things you can do but you allways think that they are the better things done but you say "This is the worst think I have done util now..", or some thing like "It isn't good..." and you think "This is the best!!"

2- You said "Certainly". This means that you want to make your self a "low" (this is a stupit word ) and make your work a "Height" (this is an other stupid word =:o).

3- Finally, you look having more than 11 years. I'm sure you aren't (at least in the langual meaning).

If you want any help to start an os __NOW__, mail me at [email protected]. I will help you if possible and why not start an os with your "help" to let you learn from real experience!
Tip:
           Read the "Hijas" book. It's wondorfull. (I think you will understand what I'm meaning well.)

[VoidLogic]

lol wow, i'm trying to be constuctive, there is no reason to be all angery. I was just stating my advice, not forceing you to take it. Qbasic is a good way to learn, many people start there. I'm supprised by your lack of civility, i exptected more.

[jos15]

I have learned OS programming in just 1 year!

[KidProgrammer]

I don't want to be mean to you mara, but I barely understood you. I didn't call myself personally stupid, just the three year old I was trying to characterize to get back at the rude poster.

I do know that I am intelligent---If you knew me you would be surprised.

And I am almost twelve, but still.

If anyone actually understood these two messages, clarify it for us, and unless I say otherwise, just leave these alone.

[kataklinger]

And that would be???
What? A kernel that writes "HELLO WORLD"?
ONE YEAR AND YOU KNOW EVEYTHING! WOW!

[ZORRO]

Sorry with my English .
I am 16 years old :
-10 year my first PC.
- Actualli I say programmer in Assembler MP, Visual Basic , Basic , Pascal , Perl , Asp , and mutch more.
But , nothing is a genius for programmer the S.O. , not is imposibily , but the imposibility is do the very , very ,very , good S.O. , the genius is who do the very good S.O. , :
"CUALQUIERA HACE UN SISTEMA OPERATIVO , POR EL SOLO HECHO DE HACERLO"

[jos15]

Well i don't know everything but by looking at linux 0.01 source and reading a lot of docs i learned the basics. My kernel now has drivers for a floppy and FAT12 fs and it has a virtual console which can handle vga text and graphic modes. It also supports primitive multithreading.