ARM v8 learning setup

[the_hiacer]

Hi Pine64ers,

I would like to buy a PBP primarily for learning the ARM v8 architecture. 

My initial thinking is to do some kernel hacking of some open source OS. In terms of learning, which OS should I go for? In some BSD documents, it takes two identical machines with their com port connected and use the debugger to step through the kernel execution. Is this the case for PBP? If so, how could that be done? If this is not the way to do it, what is the recommended way?

My primary objective is learning the ARM v8 architecture. So things like performance and security is not a concern - at least for now.

Thanks community.

Another quick question: Is it possible to use 8G or even 16G RAM with the PBP?

One note that applies to all ARM implementations today, each has customized I/O. Un-like x86/x64 Arch which has some standardized I/O you can count on being present, (physically or emulated).

So for kernel hacking on ARM you WILL need to make sure you understand what kernel configuration options and modules you need for the specific platform you are using for learning. In some ways what you propose to do would be better, (and cheaper), on a Raspberry Pi or a ROCKPro64, (which uses the same SoC as the Pinebook Pro).

I don't have a specific OS suggestion, other than you want a very recent Linux kernel. Even re-basing your development evironment every month or so to the latest kernel release. There have been some noticable changes to ARM in the Linux kernel recently and more to follow.

No, it is totally impossible to use a larger amount of RAM on a Pinebook Pro. The SoC, (System on a Chip), is limited to 4GBs of RAM.