Clever Geek Handbook

Embedded Linux with standalone application

I want to make a Linux Os that only launches one application in full screen mode, not showing the login window on startup or title, and a minimize / maximize / close button.

Is there a way to do this? It is an embedded platform and I am already building Linux for it and I also have an application.

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In a nutshell, System X is extremely flexible.

When the system starts up, it does the following:

  • Loads and starts the kernel (and its associated initrd, if present, but it doesn't matter)
  • Starting init (process 1)
  • Starting system services, creating networks, etc.
  • Launching the X server
  • Launches the window manager (the application responsible for resizing windows, etc.)
  • Launches your application.

What you need to do is disable the login and GUI session first (the easiest is to disable X) - you will be able to login through the console terminal (you can always access it with Ctrl-Alt-F1)

Then run something along the lines

X &
DISPLAY=:0 ./yourapp.exe

If your app can handle making it full screen it would be. Add this to your startup scripts and you are there.



Additional Information

The purpose of Window Manager is to manage windows. It is so simple:)

Basically, there are 3 components to your typical X session.

  • X Server is a piece of software that provides a layer of abstraction around hardware (GPU drivers, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.). It has the concept of windows - areas where X Clients can paint.
  • X Clients - everything else. Your software, if it draws something, is probably one. There is also a web browser, etc. Connecting to an X server and drawing.
  • Window Manager is a special type of X client, this piece of software provides the ability to manage windows on your screen. He often draws window decorations (minimizes, enlarges buttons), sometimes draws the taskbar, etc.

You can mix and match them completely as you please. Simpler, minimalistic window managers like mine ratpoison

, which I prefer for many embedded systems prototypes, have the concept of full-screen windows and can switch between full-screen apps (think Windows 8 Metro). Others paint window decorations and allow windows to overlap and cascade.

Because Window Manager development is a simple and modular task, there are literally hundreds selected from it. You can also choose not to use it at all, after which your windows have to manage themselves (you won't be able to move them by default). Many applications consider an option -geometry 1920x1080+0+0

telling them to open a window at 1920x1080 resolution at the corner of 0.0 - effectively full screen.

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