Difference between revisions of "Google Summer of Code 2017"

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== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
 
KolibriOS is going to apply as a mentoring organization for [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/ Google Summer of Code 2017]. This page contains our ideas list and some additional information for students and mentors.
 
KolibriOS is going to apply as a mentoring organization for [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/ Google Summer of Code 2017]. This page contains our ideas list and some additional information for students and mentors.
 
Why we participate? Goals?
 
 
Why this application is distinct?
 
  
 
We have previously successfully participated as a Mentoring Organization in Google Summer of Code in 2014 and 2016. Historical links to these events are available for your reference:
 
We have previously successfully participated as a Mentoring Organization in Google Summer of Code in 2014 and 2016. Historical links to these events are available for your reference:
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*2014: [[Google Summer of Code 2014|Ideas page]], [https://www.google-melange.com/archive/gsoc/2014/orgs/kolibrios organization and accepted projects]
 
*2014: [[Google Summer of Code 2014|Ideas page]], [https://www.google-melange.com/archive/gsoc/2014/orgs/kolibrios organization and accepted projects]
 
*2016: [[Google Summer of Code 2016|Ideas page]], [https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/archive/2016/organizations/5678701068943360/ organization and accepted projects]
 
*2016: [[Google Summer of Code 2016|Ideas page]], [https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/archive/2016/organizations/5678701068943360/ organization and accepted projects]
<br>
+
 
 
We are optimistic and therefore always discovering oportunities for further development of KolibriOS. In 2013, we have run an [[KolibriOS Summer of Code 2013|independent Summer of Code]] using money we [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kolibrios/kolibrios-help-us-hold-our-own-summer-of-code-2013 collected with Kickstarter]. Two students have worked on KolibriOS, and the results of 2013 Summer of Code were: adding write support for EXT2 filesystem, and adding (read-only) support for XFS filesystem.
 
We are optimistic and therefore always discovering oportunities for further development of KolibriOS. In 2013, we have run an [[KolibriOS Summer of Code 2013|independent Summer of Code]] using money we [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kolibrios/kolibrios-help-us-hold-our-own-summer-of-code-2013 collected with Kickstarter]. Two students have worked on KolibriOS, and the results of 2013 Summer of Code were: adding write support for EXT2 filesystem, and adding (read-only) support for XFS filesystem.
 
To our great delight, most successful students of GSoC stayed with the project and continue contributing to KolibriOS voluntarily in their spare time.
 
  
 
== Student Requirements ==
 
== Student Requirements ==
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== Organization ==
 
== Organization ==
  
You can find the organizers on the IRC channel (#kolibrios @ irc.freenode.net) or at our forum: http://board.kolibrios.org/
+
You can find the organizers at our forum: http://board.kolibrios.org/
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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|Administrator for GSoC, mentor
 
|Administrator for GSoC, mentor
 
|-
 
|-
|Jeffrey Amelynck
+
|Ivan Baravy
|[[User:Hidnplayr|hidnplayr]]
+
|[[User:dunkaist|dunkaist]]
 
|Mentor, backup administrator
 
|Mentor, backup administrator
|-
 
|Kiril Lipatov
 
|[[User:Leency|Leency]]
 
|Mentor
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Ashish Gupta
 
|Ashish Gupta
Line 59: Line 49:
 
|Mentor
 
|Mentor
 
|-
 
|-
|Ivan Baravy
+
|Vladimir
|[[User:dunkaist|dunkaist]]
+
|Siemargl
 
|Mentor
 
|Mentor
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|Jeffrey Amelynck
 +
|[[User:hidnplayr|hidnplayr]]
 +
|Mentor
 
|}
 
|}
We have discussed "Google Summer of Code 2017" application with all active members of the KolibriOS Project Team, and selected only those 3 (three) people who have both the knowledge, the dedication, and the time to help their students during the entire summer. Each one of them was assigned to mentor projects in his area of specialization only. In a rare event when a Mentor from the above list cannot continue mentoring his student(s) due to personal circumstances, we will try to find a replacement Mentor, or ask the remaining Mentors to cover for the missing one. Additionally, there is always a number of knowledgeable members of our team hanging around our [http://board.kolibrios.org/chat.php forum chat], and they will gladly answer any student questions that may arise, even if they haven't volunteered as Mentors themselves.
+
We have discussed "Google Summer of Code 2017" application with all active members of the KolibriOS Project Team, and selected only those people who have knowledge, dedication, and time to help their students during the entire summer. Each one of them was assigned to mentor projects in his area of specialization only. In a rare event when a Mentor from the above list cannot continue mentoring his student(s) due to personal circumstances, we will try to find a replacement Mentor, or ask the remaining Mentors to cover for the missing one. Additionally, there is always a number of knowledgeable members of our team hanging around our [http://board.kolibrios.org/chat.php forum chat], and they will gladly answer any student questions that may arise, even if they haven't volunteered as Mentors themselves.
  
 
Most Mentors selected for this year are the same that were originally proposed for last year, and they have already proved to be responsible, helpful and knowledgeable during GSoC'2014 and GSoC'2016.
 
Most Mentors selected for this year are the same that were originally proposed for last year, and they have already proved to be responsible, helpful and knowledgeable during GSoC'2014 and GSoC'2016.
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The below list contains ideas suggested by KolibriOS team members. '''It is neither complete nor final.'''<br>
 
The below list contains ideas suggested by KolibriOS team members. '''It is neither complete nor final.'''<br>
 
Students are welcome ('''and even encouraged''') to suggest their own ideas for GSoC, provided they can find a mentor amongst KolibriOS developers to guide them.
 
Students are welcome ('''and even encouraged''') to suggest their own ideas for GSoC, provided they can find a mentor amongst KolibriOS developers to guide them.
 
+
<!--
fuse driver + example, fasmg app and macros, tiny unicode library (NFC, NFD, sort, etc), AML interpreter, document viewer (zathura-like api), virt-io drivers, midi synthesizer and player, kolibri gui for fasmw text editor (has undo, supported by Tomasz Grysztar!), kfar plugin for tar, loop device driver (for iso, img, raw images, will help in partition manager development), squashfs, GIMP plugin for skin open/save (in C, Python or Scheme), brotli k(er)pack and kernel compression (+library), unit test framework (for kernel and libraries), OpenStreetMap client app, rss/atom reader, debugger improvement, documentation from source generator, developer and user guide
+
Pile of ideas:
 
+
documentation from source generator, filesystem in userspace (FUSE)
Add info of benefits for students (per task).
+
-->
 
 
 
=== Sortable list of ideas for easy navigation ===
 
=== Sortable list of ideas for easy navigation ===
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
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! Idea Name
 
! Idea Name
 
! Area
 
! Area
! Required Skill Level
 
! Importance for KolibriOS
 
 
! Programming Language
 
! Programming Language
 
! Mentor
 
! Mentor
 
|-
 
|-
| [[#XDXF_dictionary|XDXF dictionary]]
+
| [[#File_system|File system]]
| Application
+
| Kernel
| Basic
+
| FASM (Assembler)
| Low
 
| Assembler(FASM)
 
 
| Pathoswithin
 
| Pathoswithin
 +
|-
 +
| [[#Widget_toolkit|Widget toolkit]]
 +
| System wide
 +
| FASM (Assembler), C
 +
| Siemargl
 +
|-
 +
| [[#Port_PolarSSL|Port PolarSSL]]
 +
| Library
 +
| C/FASM
 +
| ashmew2
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[#XMPP.2FJabber_client|XMPP/Jabber client]]
 
| [[#XMPP.2FJabber_client|XMPP/Jabber client]]
 
| Application
 
| Application
| Intermediate
+
| Assembler/FASM
| Medium
+
| ashmew2
| Assembler(FASM)
 
| hidnplayr
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[#Music_player|Music player]]
+
| [[#Fasmg_port|Fasmg port]]
 
| Application
 
| Application
| Advanced
+
| FASM/FASMG (Assembler)
| Medium
+
| dunkaist
| Assembler(FASM)/C/C++
+
|-
| hidnplayr
+
| [[#Unicode_library|Unicode library]]
 +
| Library/Application
 +
| FASM (Assembler)
 +
| dunkaist
 +
<!--
 
|-
 
|-
| [[#Ethernet_driver.28s.29|Ethernet driver(s)]]
+
| [[#Document_viewer|Document viewer]]
| Driver
+
| Library/Application
| Advanced
+
| FASM (Assembler)
| High
+
| dunkaist
| Assembler(FASM)
 
| hidnplayr
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[#USB_devices|USB device drivers]]
+
| [[#Virt-IO_driver|Virt-IO driver]]
| Driver
+
| Kernel
| Expert
+
| FASM (Assembler)
| High
+
| dunkaist
| Assembler(FASM)
 
| hidnplayr
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[#Widget_toolkit|Widget toolkit]]
+
| [[#Loop_device_driver|Loop device driver]]
| System wide task
+
| Kernel
| Intermediate
+
| FASM (Assembler)
| High
+
| dunkaist
| Assembler(FASM)
 
| Pathoswithin
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| [[#GIMP_plugin_for_skins|GIMP plugin for skins]]
 +
| Application
 +
| C/Python/Scheme
 +
| dunkaist
 
|-
 
|-
| [[#Port ScummVM|Port ScummVM]]
+
| [[#RSS/Atom_news_reader|RSS/Atom news reader]]
| Library
+
| Application
| Intermediate / Advanced
+
| FASM (Assembler)
| Medium
+
| dunkaist
| C / FASM
+
-->
| hidnplayr / ashmew2
 
 
|}
 
|}
Explanation of required skill level:
 
* Beginner: No knowledge at all of the topic,
 
* Basic: A very basic knowledge of the topic but no professional usage,
 
* Intermediate: A basic knowledge of the topic but no regular professional usage,
 
* Advanced: A good knowledge of the topic and a regular professional usage,
 
* Expert: a perfect knowledge of the topic and a daily professional usage.
 
  
Explanation of importance for the project:
+
=== File system ===
* Low: For sure it doesn't hurt to implement, but if nobody does it, no one will even notice.
+
* Primary goal: Add write support for ext4 file system (ext4 reading and ext2 writing are already supported).
* Medium: Nice-to-have feature. Will improve everyday life of users and developers.
+
* Additional goal: Improve write support for NTFS file system.
* High: This feature is needed for the project to start being adopted by masses.
+
* Language: FASM (Assembler)
 
 
=== Applications ===
 
These are userspace tasks. They often require only basic knowledge of algorithms and data structures.<br>
 
No specific experience is required but welcome.
 
 
 
==== XDXF dictionary ====
 
'''Summary:''' Write dictionary application with support of XDXF (XML Dictionary eXchange Format)
 
 
 
'''Details:'''
 
* Primary goal: Write library and corresponding dictionary application
 
* Additional goal: Support of other dictioinary formats
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 
* Skill level: basic
 
* Importance: low
 
 
* Mentor: Pathoswithin
 
* Mentor: Pathoswithin
* Links: [http://tibleiz.net/asm-xml/ fasm xml library], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XDXF XDXF format]
+
* Links: [https://ext4.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/Ext4_Disk_Layout Ext4 Disk Layout]
  
 +
=== Widget toolkit ===
 +
* Primary goal: Extend Box_lib (a set of separate widgets) to create a full-featured widget toolkit, design architecture and implement focus handling, callbacks and other core ideas.
 +
* Additional goal: Integrate created box_lib widgets to the C-framework, extend framework with font handling, layout manager
 +
* Language: FASM (Assembler), C (framework)
 +
* Mentor: Siemargl
 +
* Links: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widget_toolkit basic idea], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_widget_toolkits list of toolkits]
  
==== XMPP/Jabber client ====
+
=== Port PolarSSL ===
'''Summary:''' Write a XMPP/Jabber library and client for KolibriOS
+
* Primary goal: Make a working port of PolarSSL (as native KolibriOS MS COFF library) and add it to the automatic build-system.
 +
* Additional goal: Update HTTP library (written in FASM) to support HTTPS.
 +
* Language: C/FASM
 +
* Mentor: ashmew2
 +
* Links: [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=2460 Forum thread about polarSSL], [http://websvn.kolibrios.org/listing.php?repname=Kolibri+OS&path=%2Fprograms%2Fdevelop%2Flibraries%2Fhttp%2F&#a12c8a35f2062865521028a57a419b4e8 HTTP library on WebSVN]
  
'''Details:'''
+
=== XMPP/Jabber client ===
* Primary goal: Write basic xmpp library/client
+
* Primary goal: Write a basic XMPP/Jabber library and client for KolibriOS.
* Additional goal: Implement some xmpp extentions
+
* Additional goal: Implement some xmpp extentions.
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
* Skill level: intermediate/advanced
+
* Mentor: ashmew2
* Importance: High
 
* Mentor: hidnplayr
 
 
* Links: [http://xmpp.org/xmpp-protocols/rfcs/ XMPP spec], [http://xmpp.org/xmpp-protocols/xmpp-extensions/ XMPP extentions], [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3111&p=62432#p62433 Unfinished XMPP client for KolibriOS]
 
* Links: [http://xmpp.org/xmpp-protocols/rfcs/ XMPP spec], [http://xmpp.org/xmpp-protocols/xmpp-extensions/ XMPP extentions], [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3111&p=62432#p62433 Unfinished XMPP client for KolibriOS]
  
 +
=== Fasmg port ===
 +
Tomasz Grysztar (creator of FASM) [https://flatassembler.net/docs.php?article=fasmg introduced] FASMG, a new assembler engine. It would be nice to support its new syntax in KolibriOS.
 +
* Primary goal: Write FASMG application like FASM one. Port standard KolibriOS macros to FASMG syntax.
 +
* Additional goal: Implement macros for compatibility with FASM.
 +
* Language: Assembler/FASM/FASMG
 +
* Mentor: dunkaist
 +
* Links: [https://flatassembler.net/docs.php?article=fasmg FASMG overview], [https://flatassembler.net/docs.php?article=fasmg_manual FASMG manual]
  
==== Music player ====
+
=== Unicode library ===
'''Summary:''' Improve the current music player in Kolibri
+
Unicode is a huge and sophisticated standard. Nevertheless modern OS should provide libraries with Unicode related routines like NFC, NFD, sorting, comparing, etc.
 +
* Primary goal: Write a tiny Unicode library with core Unicode algorithms and example application.
 +
* Additional goal: Upgrade existing applications to use the new library.
 +
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 +
* Mentor: dunkaist
 +
* Links: [http://git.suckless.org/libutf/ libutf]
  
'''Details:'''
+
<!--
* Primary goal: Rewrite the current music player (ac97snd), in FASM, and improve its functionality
+
=== Document viewer ===
:* Support for file formats wav, mp3 and xm (using available external libraries)
+
Document viewer is a vital part of any desktop operating system. Text, config and source code files can be viewed by existing text editors, however binary documents viewer is still required.
:* Support for playlists (m3u)
+
* Primary goal: Design API for a document viewer extendable with plugins, implement it as a KolibriOS application.
:* A time display
+
* Additional goal: Write some plugins like PDF or DJVU.
* Additional goal:
 
:* Use of system wide hotkeys to control player
 
:* Support for metadata (ID3, ...)
 
:* More codecs (flac, vorbis, ...)
 
:* Audio indication (oscillograph, bar graph, ...)
 
:* Show cover art from files or album folder
 
:* Fade in/out and/or crossover
 
:* Streaming radio (at least mp3 over http stream)
 
:* Skins
 
:* Media library
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM (C/C++ to port codec)
 
* Skill level: intermediate/advanced
 
* Importance: High
 
* Mentors: hidnplayr / dunkaist
 
* Links: [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1596 AC97SND (MP3 player in C)], [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=317 Sound drivers and architecture], [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=3003 Flac decoder],[http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2220 Minimp3 (minimalistic mp3 decoding library)], [http://board.kolibrios.org/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=161 SuperMP3 (IDv3 tag demo)]
 
 
 
 
 
==== Port ScummVM ====
 
'''Summary:''' Port ScummVM to KolibriOS.
 
 
 
'''Details:'''
 
* Primary goal: Port ScummVM to KolibriOS so that users can enjoy a wide range of already available software that runs on it.
 
* Secondary goal: Optimize for KolibriOS
 
* Language: C / FASM
 
* Skill level: intermediate / advanced
 
* Importance: Medium
 
* Mentors: hidnplayr / ashmew2
 
'''Links:'''
 
* [https://sourceforge.net/projects/scummvm/ ScummVM website], [https://sourceforge.net/projects/menuet/files/CD/A/ Old ScummVM port for MenuetOS]
 
 
 
=== Drivers ===
 
Writing drivers is about supporting new hardware and filesystems.<br>
 
Knowledge of specifications and previous experience are ''not'' required but surely desirable.
 
 
 
==== Ethernet driver(s) ====
 
'''Summary:''' Write an Ethernet driver
 
 
 
'''Details:'''
 
* Primary goal: Support for popular Broadcom, Atheros or Marvell Yukon ethernet cards
 
* Additional goal: A second driver for another card family, PPPoE support in kernel, ...
 
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
* Skill level: intermediate/advanced
+
* Mentor: dunkaist
* Importance: Medium
+
* Links: [https://pwmt.org/projects/zathura/plugins/development/ Zathura plugin system]
* Mentor: hidnplayr
 
* Links: [https://www.broadcom.com/collateral/pg/57XX-PG105-R.pdf BCM57xx programmers guide], [[Writing network drivers for KolibriOS]], [https://github.com/UDOOboard/U-Boot_Unico/blob/master/drivers/net/bcm570x.c BCM570x driver for u-boot (in C)], [http://websvn.kolibrios.org/filedetails.php?repname=Kolibri+OS&path=%2Fdrivers%2Funfinished%2Fbcm57xx.asm Stub for BCM57xx driver]
 
 
 
  
==== USB devices ====
+
=== Virt-IO driver ===
'''Summary:''' Add USB drivers for the new USB stack (webcams, gamepads, joysticks, tablets, etc.)
+
Virtio is a virtualization standard for network and disk device drivers where just the guest's device driver "knows" it is running in a virtual environment, and cooperates with the hypervisor. This enables guests to get high performance network and disk operations, and gives most of the performance benefits of paravirtualization.  
 
+
* Primary goal: Write kernel driver for, say, virt-io Ethernet card.
'''Details:'''
+
* Additional goal: Write more drivers.
* Primary goal: Write USB driver for currently unsupported device (you should have one)
 
* Additional goal: Adopt code to work with all devices of the same class
 
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
* Skill level: Expert
+
* Mentor: dunkaist
* Importance: High
+
* Links: [https://wiki.libvirt.org/page/Virtio Virt-IO wiki]
* Mentor: hidnplayr
 
* Links: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Device_classes USB device classes]
 
  
 
+
=== Loop device driver ===
=== System wide tasks ===
+
* Primary goal: Write loop device driver and example application to manage loop devices.
These tasks comprise both user space and kernel space work. Some developers consider them as of most importance for KolibriOS.<br>
+
* Additional goal: Prepare a set of disk images to be used in filesystem unit tests.
Architecture and algorithm design skills are highly desirable.
 
 
 
==== Widget toolkit ====
 
'''Summary:''' Extend Box_lib (a set of separate widgets) to create a full-featured widget toolkit
 
 
 
'''Details:'''
 
* Primary goal: Design architecture and implement focus handling, callbacks and other core ideas
 
* Additional goal: Integrate box_lib widgets to this framework
 
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
* Skill level: beginner/intermediate/advanced
+
* Mentor: dunkaist
* Importance: High
+
* Links: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loop_device loop device overview]
* Mentor: Pathoswithin
 
* Links: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widget_toolkit basic idea], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_widget_toolkits list of toolkits]
 
 
 
 
 
=== Miscellanous / Crazy Ideas ===
 
These ideas are not necessarily suited for a GSoC project but I think would be good to have.<br>
 
 
 
<!--
 
=== Open Ideas (without appointed mentor) ===
 
  
==== Rewrite "Table" in Assembler ====
+
=== GIMP plugin for skins ===
'''Summary:''' Rewrite a great Kolibri spreadsheet application [[Table]] from C++ to FASM
+
KolibriOS skins are currently written in FASM. It is inconvenient to design them as there is no realtime preview and all skin images are edited separately.
 +
* Primary goal: Write a GIMP plugin to open/save KolibriOS skins.
 +
* Additional goal: Create more skins.
 +
* Language: C/Python/Scheme
 +
* Mentor: dunkaist
 +
* Links: [https://developer.gimp.org/writing-a-plug-in/1/ How to write a GIMP plugin]
  
'''Details:'''
+
=== RSS/Atom news reader ===
* Goal: Port Table (C++) to Assembler/FASM
+
RSS and Atom are standards for web feeds. They are XML based and easily processed via AsmXml library. Corresponding user application would be a big plus to usability of KolibriOS.
 +
* Primary goal: Write RSS news reader as a standalone KolibriOS application.
 +
* Additional goal: Add Atom support to the app.
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
 
* Language: Assembler/FASM
* Skill level: beginner/intermediate/advanced
+
* Mentor: dunkaist
* Mentor: ???
+
* Links: [http://tibleiz.net/asm-xml/ AsmXml library], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS RSS], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_(standard) Atom]
 
-->
 
-->
  
Line 285: Line 225:
 
* As the kernel is written in FASM, ability to write and understand i386-assembly code is very useful.
 
* As the kernel is written in FASM, ability to write and understand i386-assembly code is very useful.
 
* C is also a plus as some applications/libraries and components are written in C. Also, C is useful to interface with assembly at times.
 
* C is also a plus as some applications/libraries and components are written in C. Also, C is useful to interface with assembly at times.
* Familiarity with the GNu landscape like Autotools, GCC etc are also a plus to have (especially for porting software)
+
* Familiarity with the GNu landscape like Autotools, GCC etc are also a plus to have (especially for porting software).
* The desire to take challenging problems and solve them is also required as several parts of the code base require thought for design and implementation. (The mentors can help you with that :) )
+
* The desire to take challenging problems and solve them is also required as several parts of the code base require thought for design and implementation (mentors can help you with that).
* Hanging out on Freenode's #kolibriOS , and our Chat (accessible through kolibrios.org -> Forum -> Chat) are where developers mostly hang out.
+
* Hang out on our forum, chat and get in touch with other developers.
* Languages used for communication are Russian and English (although most developers are bilingual, and you can always ask someone for help)
+
* Languages used for communication are Russian and English (although most developers are bilingual, and you can always ask someone for help).
* Get in touch with other developers via IRC / Chat / Forums and enjoy your stay!
 
  
 
== I'm a potential GSoC student. I'm scared of all the assembly and docs here! Where should I start?! :'( ==
 
== I'm a potential GSoC student. I'm scared of all the assembly and docs here! Where should I start?! :'( ==

Latest revision as of 23:53, 11 February 2017

Introduction

KolibriOS is going to apply as a mentoring organization for Google Summer of Code 2017. This page contains our ideas list and some additional information for students and mentors.

We have previously successfully participated as a Mentoring Organization in Google Summer of Code in 2014 and 2016. Historical links to these events are available for your reference:

We are optimistic and therefore always discovering oportunities for further development of KolibriOS. In 2013, we have run an independent Summer of Code using money we collected with Kickstarter. Two students have worked on KolibriOS, and the results of 2013 Summer of Code were: adding write support for EXT2 filesystem, and adding (read-only) support for XFS filesystem.

Student Requirements

Prospective students are required to register on our developers forum, join the developers chat and submit a small bugfix / improvement to our SVN in order for their application to be considered. Examples of such tasks can be obtained by asking on developers chat or on our IRC channel (#kolibrios @ irc.freenode.net). This requirement is only to show us that you are able to work with our SVN and interact with our developers if you are selected. This task has to be completed before student application deadline (03 April 16:00 UTC).

In addition, students need to answer the following questions when applying:

  1. Full Name (First + Last Name).
  2. E-mail address.
  3. Phone (home or mobile).
  4. Another phone for emergency cases (if we cannot contact you) - parents, boy/girlfriend, husband/wife etc.
  5. Nickname you plan to use on our forums, SVN repository or IRC chat.
  6. Age.
  7. Country + city of residence.
  8. Human languages you speak (state all languages and knowledge level - basic/intermediate/expert/mother tongue).
  9. Name of college or university you are accepted into or enrolled in + link to their website.
  10. Name of program (or faculty, or department) in that college/university you are accepted into or enrolled in.
  11. Your current timezone in UTC/GMT terms (for example, Paris is UTC/GMT +1 hours right now).
  12. Have you been involved with any open-source project in the past? If yes, which one, and what have you done for that project?
  13. Code samples - please provide links to code that you have written. It can be your high school project, contribution to open-source organization, your college/university task or anything like that.
  14. The task you are willing to work on from our list of Summer of Code 2017 ideas (or suggest your own idea, if you don't like any of the proposed ideas). Please provide an approximate work plan for your task split to 1-week intervals, as well as expected outcome of your work. This point should be detailed as much as possible, as your application would be evaluated mainly based on what you write here. You are welcome (and even encouraged!) to collaborate with potential mentors on this paragraph.
  15. What other time commitments, such as school work, university studies, another job, planned vacation, etc., will you have between May 23 and August 23 (coding period)? Please be as specific as possible. Bear in mind that GSoC is like a full-time job, so if you consider taking a summer semester at the university (with more than 1-2 courses), or intend to perform an internship or work elsewhere during the summer in addition to GSoC, you will likely be NOT accepted.

Organization

You can find the organizers at our forum: http://board.kolibrios.org/

Name Nickname Role
Dmitriy Smirnov Pathoswithin Administrator for GSoC, mentor
Ivan Baravy dunkaist Mentor, backup administrator
Ashish Gupta ashmew2 Mentor
Vladimir Siemargl Mentor
Jeffrey Amelynck hidnplayr Mentor

We have discussed "Google Summer of Code 2017" application with all active members of the KolibriOS Project Team, and selected only those people who have knowledge, dedication, and time to help their students during the entire summer. Each one of them was assigned to mentor projects in his area of specialization only. In a rare event when a Mentor from the above list cannot continue mentoring his student(s) due to personal circumstances, we will try to find a replacement Mentor, or ask the remaining Mentors to cover for the missing one. Additionally, there is always a number of knowledgeable members of our team hanging around our forum chat, and they will gladly answer any student questions that may arise, even if they haven't volunteered as Mentors themselves.

Most Mentors selected for this year are the same that were originally proposed for last year, and they have already proved to be responsible, helpful and knowledgeable during GSoC'2014 and GSoC'2016.

Ideas for Google Summer of Code 2017

The below list contains ideas suggested by KolibriOS team members. It is neither complete nor final.
Students are welcome (and even encouraged) to suggest their own ideas for GSoC, provided they can find a mentor amongst KolibriOS developers to guide them.

Sortable list of ideas for easy navigation

Idea Name Area Programming Language Mentor
File system Kernel FASM (Assembler) Pathoswithin
Widget toolkit System wide FASM (Assembler), C Siemargl
Port PolarSSL Library C/FASM ashmew2
XMPP/Jabber client Application Assembler/FASM ashmew2
Fasmg port Application FASM/FASMG (Assembler) dunkaist
Unicode library Library/Application FASM (Assembler) dunkaist

File system

  • Primary goal: Add write support for ext4 file system (ext4 reading and ext2 writing are already supported).
  • Additional goal: Improve write support for NTFS file system.
  • Language: FASM (Assembler)
  • Mentor: Pathoswithin
  • Links: Ext4 Disk Layout

Widget toolkit

  • Primary goal: Extend Box_lib (a set of separate widgets) to create a full-featured widget toolkit, design architecture and implement focus handling, callbacks and other core ideas.
  • Additional goal: Integrate created box_lib widgets to the C-framework, extend framework with font handling, layout manager
  • Language: FASM (Assembler), C (framework)
  • Mentor: Siemargl
  • Links: basic idea, list of toolkits

Port PolarSSL

  • Primary goal: Make a working port of PolarSSL (as native KolibriOS MS COFF library) and add it to the automatic build-system.
  • Additional goal: Update HTTP library (written in FASM) to support HTTPS.
  • Language: C/FASM
  • Mentor: ashmew2
  • Links: Forum thread about polarSSL, HTTP library on WebSVN

XMPP/Jabber client

Fasmg port

Tomasz Grysztar (creator of FASM) introduced FASMG, a new assembler engine. It would be nice to support its new syntax in KolibriOS.

  • Primary goal: Write FASMG application like FASM one. Port standard KolibriOS macros to FASMG syntax.
  • Additional goal: Implement macros for compatibility with FASM.
  • Language: Assembler/FASM/FASMG
  • Mentor: dunkaist
  • Links: FASMG overview, FASMG manual

Unicode library

Unicode is a huge and sophisticated standard. Nevertheless modern OS should provide libraries with Unicode related routines like NFC, NFD, sorting, comparing, etc.

  • Primary goal: Write a tiny Unicode library with core Unicode algorithms and example application.
  • Additional goal: Upgrade existing applications to use the new library.
  • Language: Assembler/FASM
  • Mentor: dunkaist
  • Links: libutf

Rough Guide for Prospective Students

  • As the kernel is written in FASM, ability to write and understand i386-assembly code is very useful.
  • C is also a plus as some applications/libraries and components are written in C. Also, C is useful to interface with assembly at times.
  • Familiarity with the GNu landscape like Autotools, GCC etc are also a plus to have (especially for porting software).
  • The desire to take challenging problems and solve them is also required as several parts of the code base require thought for design and implementation (mentors can help you with that).
  • Hang out on our forum, chat and get in touch with other developers.
  • Languages used for communication are Russian and English (although most developers are bilingual, and you can always ask someone for help).

I'm a potential GSoC student. I'm scared of all the assembly and docs here! Where should I start?! :'(

Start here : http://wiki.kolibrios.org/wiki/HowTo This will help you set up KolibriOS. Easiest will be to use either Qemu or VirtualBox as most developers use it and thus will be able to help you with eventual problems. Feel free however to try something else and let us know how it goes!

I'm a potential GSoC student. What is this test task?!

Regarding the test mentioned above, it is for assessing your current skill set and their relevance regarding the project that you want to eventually work on. In most cases, your potential mentor will assign you a task via IRC / Forum Chat but another developer can do this as well . Meanwhile, In case you are waiting for a test task, you can go through our bug tracker and find a small task to work on yourself, or learn about KolibriOS by going through example code.

I want to play with the code but my college blocks SVN

If you are have trouble accessing, please do mention it on the forums. You can temporarily use this backup git repository: http://repo.or.cz/w/kolibrios.git

All the ideas seem interesting, But..

Feel free to suggest your own idea! This is encouraged largely both in GSoC and KolibriOS. The mentors will be glad to such an idea and assess it's feasibility / usability for Kolibri.

Great Guide! But I still don't understand X

Please read Documentation / Development pages on this Wiki. If you have any doubts, feel free to connect with other KolibriOS users and developers through Forum Chat or #kolibrios on Freenode. Please ask developers / mentors on Forum Chat or IRC . Please be patient on IRC and Forum Chat as developers are on different time zones and it might take a few hours to get back to you. You can also start a Forum thread if it is about something you feel is a general issue.

Most importantly...Have Fun!