Blogs

by Nigel Jones

One of the least used but potentially most useful C preprocessor directives is #error. Here's a look at a couple of clever uses for #error that have proven invaluable in embedded software development.

#error is an ANSI-specified feature of the C preprocessor (cpp). Its syntax is very straightforward:

by Nigel Jones

With all the automation available today, it's easy for programmers to overlook costly overhead introduced into machine code by the compiler. Interrupt handlers are one key area worthy of a closer inspection.

by Michael Barr

If ever there was a piece of embedded software ripe for reuse it's the memory test. This article shows how to test for the most common memory problems with a set of three efficient, portable, public-domain memory test functions.

by JR Simma

This article is intended to give engineers a brief overview of the SAE J1939 protocol and how J1939 networks operate. For additional information, including source code, CPU benchmarks, and a presentation on J1939, visit the J1939 Software webpage.

by Miro Samek

An overview of state-machine fundamentals and guidelines for coding state machines in C or C++.

by Miro Samek

Metaphors and analogies can be valuable tools for learning new software concepts and tapping subject matter expertise during embedded software development.

by Miro Samek

What is the Design by Contract programming philosophy, what can it do for you, and why should all embedded software developers care?

If you were to single out just one most effective programming technique for delivering high-quality code, what would you choose? Object-oriented programming? Generic programming? Design patterns? Software components? Frameworks? UML? CASE tools?

by Michael Wilk and Michael Barr

An object-oriented framework can be used to create safe, testable and tunable motion control systems.

Writing the software to handle motion control is a critical job on any real-time system design project. Safety is of the utmost importance. And, of course, it is also important that the code work precisely and allow for testing and performance tuning. An object-oriented framework can be used to create safe, testable and tunable motion control systems.

by Michael Barr

This next installment of enforceable coding standards for embedded systems offers bug-killing rules for using certain C keywords and naming global variables.

by Michael Barr

A C coding standard can help keep bugs out of embedded software by leveraging common language features and development tools.