1.. SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-2.0-UK
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4Transitioning to a custom environment for systems development
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9.. note::
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11   So you've finished the :doc:`brief-yoctoprojectqs/index` and
12   glanced over the document :doc:`what-i-wish-id-known`, the latter contains
13   important information learned from other users. You're well prepared. But
14   now, as you are starting your own project, it isn't exactly straightforward what
15   to do. And, the documentation is daunting. We've put together a few hints to
16   get you started.
17
18#. **Make a list of the processor, target board, technologies, and capabilities
19   that will be part of your project**.
20   You will be finding layers with recipes and other metadata that support these
21   things, and adding them to your configuration. (See #3)
22
23#. **Set up your board support**.
24   Even if you're using custom hardware, it might be easier to start with an
25   existing target board that uses the same processor or at least the same
26   architecture as your custom hardware. Knowing the board already has a
27   functioning Board Support Package (BSP) within the project makes it easier
28   for you to get comfortable with project concepts.
29
30#. **Find and acquire the best BSP for your target**.
31   Use the :yocto_home:`Yocto Project Compatible Layers
32   </software-overview/layers/>` or even the :oe_layerindex:`OpenEmbedded
33   Layer Index <>` to find and acquire the best BSP for your
34   target board. The Yocto Project layer index BSPs are regularly validated. The
35   best place to get your first BSP is from your silicon manufacturer or board
36   vendor – they can point you to their most qualified efforts. In general, for
37   Intel silicon use meta-intel, for Texas Instruments use meta-ti, and so
38   forth. Choose a BSP that has been tested with the same Yocto Project release
39   that you've downloaded. Be aware that some BSPs may not be immediately
40   supported on the very latest release, but they will be eventually.
41
42   You might want to start with the build specification that Poky provides
43   (which is reference embedded distribution) and then add your newly chosen
44   layers to that. Here is the information :ref:`about adding layers
45   <dev-manual/layers:Understanding and Creating Layers>`.
46
47#. **Based on the layers you've chosen, make needed changes in your
48   configuration**.
49   For instance, you've chosen a machine type and added in the corresponding BSP
50   layer. You'll then need to change the value of the :term:`MACHINE` variable in your
51   configuration file (build/local.conf) to point to that same machine
52   type. There could be other layer-specific settings you need to change as
53   well. Each layer has a ``README`` document that you can look at for this type of
54   usage information.
55
56#. **Add a new layer for any custom recipes and metadata you create**.
57   Use the ``bitbake-layers create-layer`` tool for Yocto Project 2.4+
58   releases. If you are using a Yocto Project release earlier than 2.4, use the
59   ``yocto-layer create`` tool. The ``bitbake-layers`` tool also provides a number
60   of other useful layer-related commands. See
61   :ref:`dev-manual/layers:creating a general layer using the
62   \`\`bitbake-layers\`\` script` section.
63
64#. **Create your own layer for the BSP you're going to use**.
65   It is not common that you would need to create an entire BSP from scratch
66   unless you have a *really* special device. Even if you are using an existing
67   BSP, :ref:`create your own layer for the BSP <bsp-guide/bsp:creating a new
68   bsp layer using the \`\`bitbake-layers\`\` script>`. For example, given a
69   64-bit x86-based machine, copy the conf/intel-corei7-64 definition and give
70   the machine a relevant name (think board name, not product name). Make sure
71   the layer configuration is dependent on the meta-intel layer (or at least,
72   meta-intel remains in your bblayers.conf). Now you can put your custom BSP
73   settings into your layer and you can re-use it for different applications.
74
75#. **Write your own recipe to build additional software support that isn't
76   already available in the form of a recipe**.
77   Creating your own recipe is especially important for custom application
78   software that you want to run on your device. Writing new recipes is a
79   process of refinement. Start by getting each step of the build process
80   working beginning with fetching all the way through packaging. Next, run the
81   software on your target and refine further as needed. See :ref:`Writing a New
82   Recipe <dev-manual/new-recipe:writing a new recipe>` in the
83   Yocto Project Development Tasks Manual for more information.
84
85#. **Now you're ready to create an image recipe**.
86   There are a number of ways to do this. However, it is strongly recommended
87   that you have your own image recipe --- don't try appending to existing image
88   recipes. Recipes for images are trivial to create and you usually want to
89   fully customize their contents.
90
91#. **Build your image and refine it**.
92   Add what's missing and fix anything that's broken using your knowledge of the
93   :ref:`workflow <sdk-manual/extensible:using \`\`devtool\`\` in your sdk
94   workflow>` to identify where issues might be occurring.
95
96#. **Consider creating your own distribution**.
97   When you get to a certain level of customization, consider creating your own
98   distribution rather than using the default reference distribution.
99
100   Distribution settings define the packaging back-end (e.g. rpm or other) as
101   well as the package feed and possibly the update solution. You would create
102   your own distribution in a new layer inheriting from Poky but overriding what
103   needs to change for your distribution. If you find yourself adding a lot of
104   configuration to your local.conf file aside from paths and other typical
105   local settings, it's time to :ref:`consider creating your own distribution
106   <dev-manual/custom-distribution:creating your own distribution>`.
107
108   You can add product specifications that can customize the distribution if
109   needed in other layers. You can also add other functionality specific to the
110   product. But to update the distribution, not individual products, you update
111   the distribution feature through that layer.
112
113#. **Congratulations! You're well on your way.**
114   Welcome to the Yocto Project community.
115
116.. include:: /boilerplate.rst
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