Effective software development for embedded devices

Effective software development for embedded devices

Digital transformation affects many familiar things, will give them the prefix “smart” and expand their functionality.

We are surrounded by “smart” cars and fitness machines. Mobile devices, such as smartwatches, e-books, and activity trackers, make life easier. Not to mention the significant accumulation of service equipment. For example, the automotive industry includes routers and modems, sensors and access control systems, and control in production (machines, conveyor belts) and nuclear power plants—another area where embedded devices are standard in healthcare. Embedded systems are also actively used by the military.

What is the difference between a computer and an embedded device?

Specially designed applications control embedded devices. They are an integral part of the rapidly developing Internet of Things, forming the foundation that, together with network and information technologies, shapes the Internet of Things. The main feature of built-in devices and special software for them is utility. In other words, software for embedded devices is designed to perform only certain functions, while computers are designed to perform various tasks.

The critical difference between desktop and embedded software

Programs for embedded devices are usually written for a specific type or model to solve a particular problem and cannot be used for anything else. In addition, software solutions for embedded devices are often designed with environmental conditions in mind. For example, industrial sensors and alarm systems may be designed to operate at high temperatures; IoT software development company successfully solves all these tasks by developing software for embedded devices in various fields.

How to write software for embedded devices?

The following essential components are required to create such complex software:

  • Operating systems for embedded devices – Linux systems are the most popular because they support the broadest range of architectures;
  • Programming languages ​​- mostly ASM, C, C++, Python;
  • Specialized tools – compilers, debuggers, integrated development environments, debugging tables, and debuggers.

Creating embedded software uses various tools and exceptional development and debugging environments in ASM, C, or C++ programming languages. Therefore, businesses can hire C++ developers for embedded software development.

Different compilers are also required during development. They convert code from high-level to low-level machine language used to operate embedded devices. It is a language in which all symbols are written as zeros and ones, so programmers use a more “humanized” programming language. Each processor and each programming language uses its compiler. ASM is a low-level programming language that uses syntax as close to machine language. Unlike high-level languages ​​like C and C++, you need a different compiler.

Software testing requires debugging. Track errors and highlight where they occur in your code. In particular, the debugger saves the line of code where the error was detected and creates shortcuts so that the programmer can quickly jump to it. An excellent example of a debugger for Linux is IDA Pro.

 

Linkers are also important when developing software for embedded devices. They allow you to assemble small codes or modules into a single working program. Emulators help test the behavior of the program in working conditions. No one can immediately test its behavior in a hardware environment when code is written for very complex and expensive (often dangerous) hardware. Therefore, developers create a unique space that simulates their working environment in real-time. It can only be installed on an actual device after testing the code using an emulator. A unique integrated development environment (IDE) is used as a rule. This environment already includes all the tools listed above.

Indeema provides software development for embedded devices in industries as diverse as medical, manufacturing and transportation, retail and services, science, and sports. Contact them right now and find the best solution for you. A reliable confirmation of their high qualification and professionalism are clients’ success stories and differences in their business before and after cooperation with Indeema. Thanks to its many years of experience, Indeema offers the service of creating software for embedded devices. The highest quality software is used. Expertise includes hardware design, all stages of software development, and the application of complex yet highly effective solutions. System software for embedded devices has become an integral part of our lives. The company helps push the boundaries of hardware and software development in all markets through embedded systems development. In addition to extensive experience with various embedded operating systems and wireless communication protocols, Indeema follows strict quality assurance procedures that meet international safety standards and certifications for critical equipment.

An original article about Effective software development for embedded devices by Kokou Adzo · Published in

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