Embedded Systems 101: C & C++ Basics

January 03, 2024

Embedded systems are everywhere, from our smartphones and cars to medical devices and industrial machinery. These systems play a crucial role in our daily lives and are becoming increasingly advanced and complex with each passing day. However, at the core of any embedded system lies the foundation of the C and C++ programming languages. These programming languages are often referred to as the "Swiss Army knife" for developers due to their versatility, power, and evergreen relevance. In this article, we will delve into the fundamentals of C and C++ programming and explore how they form the building blocks of embedded systems.

Why C and C++?
C is often referred to as the "mother of all languages." It's low-level enough to manipulate hardware directly but versatile enough to be used across platforms. Its descendant, C++, brings object-oriented features to the table, allowing for more complex and reusable code structures.

Your First C Program
Let’s dive in with a simple C program. Here’s a ‘Hello, World!’ example:

This simple code snippet tells your computer to print out "Hello, World!" - the rite of passage for every programmer.

Your First C++ Program
C++ adds layers of abstraction that make the language more versatile. Here's the same "Hello, World!" in C++:

Notice the use of ‘cout’ instead of ‘printf’ – that’s one of the many features that C++ adds to C.

Getting Practical
Imagine you're programming a digital thermometer. In C, you might directly interact with the hardware's memory to read temperature data. In C++, you could create a ‘Thermometer’ class that encapsulates this functionality.

Onward and Upward
C and C++ are the starting blocks for embedded systems. They offer the control and efficiency required to interact with hardware directly. By mastering these, you can program microcontrollers, design system architectures, and much more.

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