Programming Embedded Systems In C &c++ - Softcover

Barr, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1565923545 ISBN 13: 9781565923546

Publisher: O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES, 1999

Synopsis

An introduction to embedding systems for C and C++++ programmers encompasses such topics as testing memory devices, writing and erasing Flash memory, verifying nonvolatile memory contents, and much more. Original. (Intermediate).

About this title

About the Author

Michael Barr has been an editor of Embedded Systems Programming since 1999 and a contributor since 1997; he is currently that magazine's editor-in-chief. His book about embedded software development -- Programming Embedded Systems in C and C++ (O'Reilly, 1999) -- has taught tens of thousands of engineers the subject and been translated into several languages. He is also the author of CMP Book's Embedded Systems Dictionary (2003). Michael is a lecturer at the University of Maryland and a popular Embedded Systems Conference instructor and advisor. Software he wrote helps run millions of systems around the world, ranging from satellite base stations to physical therapy equipment. Through the Netrino Consultants Network, Michael provides design advice and training. He holds MS and BS degrees in electrical engineering.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Why I Wrote This Book

I once heard an estimate that in the United States there are eight microprocessor-based devices for every person. At the time, I wondered how this could be. Are there really that many computers surrounding us? Later, when I had more time to think about it, I started to make a list of the things I used that probably contained a microprocessor. Within five minutes my list contained ten items: television, stereo, coffee-maker, alarm clock, VCR, microwave, dishwasher, remote control, bread machine, and digital watch. And those were just my personal possessions--I quickly came up with ten more devices I used at work.

The revelation that every one of those products contains not only a processor, but also software, was not far behind. At last, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to put my programming skills to work developing embedded computer systems. But how would I acquire the necessary knowledge? At this point, I was in my last year of college. There hadn't been any classes on embedded systems programming so far, and I wasn't able to find any listed in the course catalog.

Fortunately, when I graduated I found a company that let me write embedded software while I was still learning. But I was still pretty much on my own. The few people that knew about embedded software were usually too busy to explain things to me. So I searched high and low for a book that would teach me. In the end, I found I had to learn everything myself. I never found that book and I always wondered why no one had written it.

Now I've decided to write that book myself. And in the process, I've discovered why no one had done it before. One of the hardest things about this subject is knowing when to stop writing. Each embedded system is unique and I have learned that there is an exception to every rule. Nevertheless, I have tried to boil the subject down to its essence and present only those things that programmers definitely need to know about embedded systems.

Edition details

• Publisher: O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1565923545
• ISBN 13: 9781565923546
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 174