by Niall Murphy

Concerned about the number of programmers who don't use or know about assert(), Niall explains the macro and how to use it.

by Nigel Jones

Language specifications, including those for C and C++, are often loosely written. A static analysis tool called lint can help you find dangerous and non-portable constructs in your code before your compiler turns them into run-time bugs.

by Michael Barr

Bug fixes, patches, and third-party application programs are all possible in today’s more powerful embedded systems, but you need to plan for them at design time. This article shows you how.

by Michael Barr

Let's face it, there's nothing sexy about the topic of cross compilers. Embedded programmers couldn't get the job done without one, but spend very little time thinking about how they work or how they could make our work easier.

by Jason Steinhorn

While most software developers have been praising the advantages of Java programming, embedded developers have been sitting idly by, waiting for a Java implementation that would complement their non-standard environments. The wait may soon be over. Java batch compilers and toolsets are starting to emerge, and may make using Java in your next project a more realistic option.

by Michael Barr

If you are considering using software developed by others, such as Linux, within your embedded system, you'll likely need an intellectual property lawyer to read the license agreements such as GPL. Here's a brief glossary of the licensing terminology that's enough to get you started.

by Arnold Berger and Michael Barr

Motorola's Background Debug Mode is one of a variety of on-chip debug technologies. Collectively, they offer some of the best features of debug monitors and in-circuit emulators—with far less headache and cost.

by Nigel Jones

In 1998, the UK's Motor Industry Software Reliability Association established a set of 127 guidelines for the use of C in safety-critical systems. Here's a look at the rules, what they mean, and how they can work for you.