I am a very beginner to Applications processors.
Since Beaglebone is a normal computer that uses the TI ARM 3359 RAM and SD
and some other peheripharals, is it possible that I install the
LINUXEZSDK-AM335X[http://www.ti.com/tool/LINUXEZSDK-SITARA\]
distribution on it?
Yes, as Gerald pointed out that should work fine.
my question is, when I want to decide which operating system I want to
install on a certain devlopment board like this, is it the processor type
(TI ARM3359 etc) that matter? or are there other things to worry? what are
they?
In general, you need to worry about things up to and including the Linux
kernel. That means start with the particular processor or SoC, then the
boot loader (typically in several different pieces), and finally the kernel.
Once you have a Linux kernel running (with appropriate drivers), you can
typically run whatever code you want with minimal or no changes between
systems.
also what is the difference between a kernel and the LINUXEZSDK-AM335X
available to download for a particular processor type?
A kernel is just the raw kernel. The Linux EZSDK provides the means to
compile the boot loader, kernel, and a minimal Linux run-time
environment. In other words, the EZSDK is a mini-distribution.
If you're just wanting to write code, I suggest going with one of the
mainstream distributions available for the 'Bone, like Debian or Ubuntu.
If you want to build a product around the AM335x and need control over
every bit of code that makes it into your product, the EZSDK or the
Angstrom release the 'Bone ships with would be a good place to start.