Google Summer of Code 2026 application

[Joseph Latvala <latvalaj1%udayton.edu@localhost>]

I would like to apply for the 2026 google summer of code, specifically
the Emulating missing linux syscalls project idea (as listed here:
https://wiki.netbsd.org/projects/project/linux_timer/).

I am currently a sophomore studying computer science at the University
of Dayton, Ohio (United States).

For whatever my own introspection is worth, I like to think I am at
least competent in C.
I am familiar with unix-like systems. I currently daily drive Arch
Linux, and have a basic understanding of the differences between Linux
and the BSD's, NetBSD in particular.
I heavily enjoy researching and learning new things relating to
software, so I should be able to fill any gaps in my knowledge
reasonably quickly through experimentation and reading relevant
documentation.

Relevant to this project,
I have done a few projects in C, including a basic shell that can
tokenize and run commands, a simple snake game using Raylib, and, more
recently, a program that renders the Mandelbrot set as an image using
LibPNG. I have also been working on a simple markov chain program
using SQLite as the data store.
(Most of these are sitting on my hard drive and have not been
published anywhere, but I can publish/send whatever if you are
curious)
I have a solid understanding of system calls as a concept and own a
few books on operating systems.

I have moderate experience with GNU make, but I am aware there are
some significant differences between that and BSD make.

I have an unused laptop I have just installed NetBSD on (although I
have played around with a few of the BSDs in a VM from time to time).

I have not yet attempted to build NetBSD from source, nor have I
experimented with CVS, but I fully intend to do so in preparation for
the project over the
remainder of the semester.

I will have plenty of time during the coming summer to work on this project.

Thank you for your consideration!

Joseph Latvala