If you're working on embedded Linux projects and need a lightweight, efficient way to integrate LVGL into your system, you'll be happy to know that we've written a comprehensive guide that has been merged into the official LVGL documentation to assist you.
Buildroot philosophy
Buildroot is designed with a keep it simple philosophy, focusing on generating small, efficient, and easily reproducible embedded Linux systems.
Unlike more complex build systems, Buildroot does not use a traditional package management system. Instead, it rebuilds selected components from source as needed, ensuring a clean and controlled environment.
Its configuration system is inspired by the Linux kernel’s menuconfig, allowing developers to easily select packages and customize their system with minimal overhead. The objective is to provide a fast, deterministic, and low-maintenance way to build embedded Linux images, making it an excellent choice for projects where simplicity and quick iteration matter.
Why Use Buildroot Instead of a Yocto Recipe?
While Yocto is a powerful tool for creating custom Linux distributions, Buildroot offers a simpler and more lightweight approach, making it ideal for many embedded projects. Here are some advantages.
Faster build times: Buildroot uses a straightforward dependency system, avoiding the complexity of Yocto’s layers and recipes.
Easy to configure: No need to dive into bitbake and complex metadata; just tweak a simple configuration file.
Minimal system footprint: Buildroot produces leaner images, making it great for resource-constrained devices.
Simpler learning curve: Developers new to embedded Linux will find Buildroot easier to grasp than Yocto.
Getting started with LVGL in Buildroot
While there is no official LVGL package in Buildroot, the LVGL documentation provides a complete guide on how to build a Buildroot-based system and integrate LVGL into your project. The guide includes an example using the Raspberry Pi 4, but the same approach can be applied to other platforms.
The process involves: 1️⃣ Building a Buildroot system: Configuring and generating a minimal embedded Linux image tailored for your hardware. 2️⃣ Using the generated SDK: Cross-compiling your LVGL application with the Buildroot-provided toolchain. 3️⃣ Embedding the application: Leveraging a rootfs overlay to easily include your compiled application in the final root filesystem.
Check out the official LVGL Buildroot documentation for a step-by-step guide here.
If you’re already using Buildroot or considering it for your next project, give LVGL a try and let us know how it works for you! 🚀
What are your thoughts on using Buildroot for LVGL vs. Yocto? Let’s discuss!