Updated June 5, 2023
Introduction to Embedded C
Embedded C is one of the most commonly used programming languages in developing embedded systems. So we can see some of Embedded C’s basics and Embedded C’s programming framework in this post. It is probably the most common language for Embedded Systems programming. Although various programming languages such as Basic, Assembly, and C++ are utilized in developing embedded systems, Embedded C remains widely used and favored due to its performance, efficiency in terms of time, and portability.
What is an Embedded System?
- The embedded device refers to the hardware and software specifically designed to perform a particular task commonly.
- A Washing Machine is an intense instance of an embedded device for many households. Embedded Systems can be part of a broader framework, not just stand-alone devices like washing machines.
- One example is a car. A modern car offers many embedded systems that perform their particular tasks to make a safe, smooth ride.
- Any of the built-in systems of a vehicle are anti-lock braking (ABS), an automatic climate control system, a tire pressure monitoring system, a power level monitoring system, etc. Oil level monitoring systems.
Data Types in Embedded C
- C Programming Language Data Types (or any programming language in this respect) allow us to declare program variables.
- In C Programming Language, there are many types of data, such as signed, float, signed char, unsigned char, unsigned int, and double. Besides these, it includes several more data types.
What is Embedded C?
The C Computer Language is the most common and used programming language developed by Dennis Ritchie in the late 1960s and early 1970s. A complicated compiler (the software that converts programs into machine code) and efficient mapping to creator instructions provided low memory access.
The C programming language provides Embedded C Programming Language, an extension of C Program Language commonly used in designing Embedded Systems. It uses the same syntax and grammar as the key function variables, loops, data type declaration, functions, statements, etc. It is evident from the above declaration that an Embedded Device software component is equally essential for the hardware component. Advanced hardware modules with poorly written programs (Software) are useless.
The following are the additional data types for Keil’s Cx51 Compiler:
- Sfr
- Bit
- Sfr16
- Sbit
Component
Given below are the components:
- Preprocessor Directive: A preprocessor directive in it is an indication for the compiler that symbols not specified by the program must be looked into in this file. We usually use a preprocessor directive in Embedded C Programming to denote the microcontroller-specific header file that contains all SFRs and the bits in those SFRs.
- Main Function: Each program with C or Embedded C has a primary function from which the program execution starts.
- Global Variables: As the name suggests, Global Variables are External to the program, i.e., everywhere in a program is available.
Keywords of C
A keyword (a language used to translate the language written in C to Machine Code) is a unique term with a specific significance for a compiler.
When, for instance, we take the Keil Compiler, Cx51 (a standard 8051-based compiler), some keywords are:
- Large
- Small
- Sbit
- Sfr
- Bit
Factors for Selecting the Programming Language
These are just a few factors to consider when selecting Program Language for Embedded Systems development.
- Speed: The programs must run as quickly as possible, i.e., Owing to the slow operation of applications, the hardware should not be slowed down.
- Size: The memory occupied by the program is critical because the amount of ROM is very small with embedded processors like microcontrollers.
Differences Between C and C Embedded
- Aside from the few extensions and the working environment, C and Embedded C have little difference.
- The two ISO standards, C and Embedded C, have almost datatypes, identical syntax, functions, etc.
- It is an extension of the standard C programming language with additional functions such as I / O address, arithmetic fixed point, multiple memory address, etc.
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This is a guide to What is Embedded C? Here we discuss the data types, what is embedded c, components, keywords of c, and differences. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
