The Basics And Structure Of Embedded System Programming And Its Various Facets

Embedded System Programming and its various facets

Published on January 30, 2019

Atul Kumar

CEO at Shriv ComMedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

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Developing an embedded programming for cross-platform User Interface (UIs) is a significant task that equips a lot of difficulties. An embedded system programming is developed and used for performing a particular task. Such programming developed for hardware system is very powerful and elaborative.

Today, embedded Linux products are trending. Programs and operating systems are loaded into read-only memory, which can be ROM, flash chips or flash cards. Refrigerators, TV, VCR, DVD players, cameras, printers, etc., are some of the common examples of embedded systems used in everyday life. Besides this, the example of extremely complicated embedded Linux system programming are the network routers and switches equipped with high performing CPUs. Moreover, an embedded system is supposed to run independently for its intended life. Any periodic maintenance or crash application recovery in embedded system programming is never encouraged. Therefore, embedded software programming has to be error free and bug-free.

Embedded Linux is an operating system that equips real-time capabilities. Programmers skilled in embedded Linux system programming can play with the kernel configuration efficiently. Networking codes, system drivers, multimedia related components, file system support, etc., are the areas where embedded system programmers may optimize the Linux kernel according to the requirements.

The embedded programmers need to have thorough knowledge of all kinds of hardware. Writing code for embedded Linux is a complex task compared to writing a program on a UNIX machine and then executing it.

Where do the complications exist in embedded Linux system programming?

Target system hardware

Usually the target hardware has many input and output lines, different interrupts, and probably a different type of CPU along with memory constraints. To develop software solutions for the target hardware, the embedded programmers need to have thorough knowledge of connecting the digital or analog I/O for exchanging data with this external hardware.

Target system real-time

If the target system is running a real-time operating system, then the system scheduling is the most important factor in embedded system programming. Programmers need to understand about the process or task happening when a scheduled task is executed on a real-time scheduler. Sometimes, configuring processes to increase or decrease a particular task schedule levels may result in disaster.

Cross platform compilations

Depending upon CPU family used for the target system, embedded system programming developers must opt to test the program efficiency on the following:

  • Cross compiler
  • Cross assembler
  • Cross linker
  • Cross debugger
  • Cross-compiled libraries

These components will enable developers to compile, link, and debug code for the target environment successfully. Apart from this, the embedded system developers always have two most important challenges to overcome; getting the best out of embedded hardware and developing an easy-to-go UI design. An application fulfilling both the requirements delivers productive solutions.

So, the developers need to mix and match the coding and use high-level UI codes for enhancing device efficiency and productivity. CPU actions, real-time activities, selection of UI language, RAM optimization, etc, are the various aspects where experienced talents’ input is required to complete such mind boggling projects.

For in-depth information, clients can get in touch with our colleagues. Shriv ComMedia Solutions (SCMS) is a software development company serving its clients since 2003. Our long-term existence in software development services arena have helped us find a variety of complicated embedded programming projects coming up from all industry verticals. Such opportunities have assisted our core team to learn and train themselves in resolving and simplifying the complexity involved in embedded Linux system programming projects.


Atul Kumar

CEO at Shriv ComMedia Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

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