Comment by ddelnano
For Linux kernel dev, I found Linux Kernel Programming: A Comprehensive Guide to Kernel Internals to be a really helpful resource. For eBPF, the early chapters of Brendan Gregg’s BPF Performance Tools gave me the context I needed to get started.
From there, what’s helped me most is a cycle of reading new material, building prototypes and exploring how an open source system solves similar problems. I've definitely hit that wall as systems programming can get confusing fast.
I’ve also noticed that I sometimes get stuck trying to make something perfect before I’ve even started experimenting. Forcing myself to build the lowest-effort version of an idea has been surprisingly productive. Debugging things that don’t work is frustrating, but that failure often reveals insights I wouldn’t have discovered if I were overanalyzing.
You’ve probably seen some of these resources already, but just sharing in case any of it’s useful. I work with eBPF full-time and had many similar challenges along the way, but recommend jumping back in when you have the time.
Thank you! I already know Brendan Gregg, but never read his book.
> I’ve also noticed that I sometimes get stuck trying to make something perfect before I’ve even started experimenting.
Exactly, this is something that I am struggling with too.