Embedded software or firmware is the brain of an embedded device. However, this type of software works differently from conventional software on PCs or mobile devices — which are generic and work identically on these operating systems. PC software runs without directly accessing the underlying hardware.
The purpose of embedded software works in contrast, so to speak, because it is written explicitly for one type of hardware. Programs are typically unique and specific to a device or product. Embedded software is the only software running on the device. Essentially, it is the final machine code that directly accesses the underlying controller or processor and the integrated and/or connected peripherals. Embedded software brings the hardware to life, defining the purpose of the device.
The embedded software includes high-level programming languages compiled into machine code that is loaded into the memory of the target microcontroller or processor. Although “C” is the most common (more than 80% of embedded software is written in C), several other languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, Verilog, Rust and low-level assembly languages are also used.
Software development tools — which integrate code into embedded devices — include a code editor, linker, debugger, and compiler/assembler.
The code editor writes and edits the source code of the embedded software. This typically includes a collection of several modules or files. For example, the main code may rely on multiple libraries or header files to implement task-specific logic. The linker combines the main code and all dependencies into one executable unit. The debugger ensures that there are no syntactical or logical errors in the code. The compiler or assembler converts the source code into the final implementable machine code by converting it directly into machine code. The assembler interprets the code line by line and first converts the source code into an object code.
If there are no errors in the code, the object code is finally converted into a final executable machine code. In this article, we will explore the main software development tools available for embedded software development.
Arduino
Arduino IDE is an open source integrated development environment for creating embedded software. The tool was made for programming Arduino boards, which have become incredibly popular and offer a large community of support.
One reason is that the source code can be easily ported to many commercial controllers. In fact, several emerging microcontroller platforms such as ESP are designed in line with the Arduino ecosystem. They can be easily programmed in the Arduino IDE by installing an add-on library.
However, the Arduino IDE already comes with a series of libraries and example codes. The IDE can even be extended to support new platforms.
PyCharm
If C is the dominant programming language in the embedded world, Python is next in line. Since IoT and AI converged with embedded software, Python has become an important programming language for implementing network communication, machine learning, and deep learning on edge devices.
For example, CCTV installed at many airports has a local database that supports facial recognition of criminal suspects. Often, image recognition and comparison tools are carried out thanks to Python software.
PyCharm is an integrated development environment from a Czech company, JetBrains. It is primarily developed for Python programming, although it supports many other programming languages, including HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Cython, TypeScript, etc. The IDE is available for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux. Three editions are available, including a community, professional, and educational platform.
As a software development tool for Python-based embedded applications, PyCharm offers more than most embedded systems software. It includes advanced features such as error highlighting, autocomplete, debugging, automatic code refactoring, project management, virtual machines, and integrated software testing.
If you are developing software that needs to communicate with a cloud service or network server, this IDE supports frameworks like Django, Flask, Pyramid, etc.
Webstorm
Webstorm is another integrated development environment from JetBrains, mainly for JavaScript programming. JavaScript is the dominant programming language for serverless web development.
Many IoT applications use network programming with a backend in Node.js plus Express and a frontend in Angular or React. They all involve programming in just one language – JavaScript. Since full-stack developers are already programming the backend and frontend of embedded web-based applications in JavaScript, the language is an obvious choice for embedded hardware. JavaScript has rich libraries that support IoT, AI, and deep learning.
Eclipse
Initially developed for software development in Java, Eclipse is an open-source IDE that can be used to code applications in various programming languages, including C++, Java, Python, PHP, etc. The IDE can be extended through plugins. Eclipse is the preferred tool for automotive embedded software programming.
Visual Studio
Visual Studio is popular for programming desktop, mobile, and embedded software applications. It comes with a Visual C++ extension for IoT applications. C code can be compiled for upload to Linux-based microcontrollers and embedded devices.
With Visual Studio for IoT, developers can directly code, edit, and debug Linux machines. There are also several third-party compilers and tools that allow you to program many different embedded applications. The IDE can interface with the GNU toolchain via VisualGDB, enabling rapid development and debugging of embedded firmware.
Qt Creator
Qt Creator is an excellent tool for programming embedded applications in C++, JavaScript and QML. Users can easily create 2D and 3D interfaces and user spaces for embedded applications.
As a software development tool, it offers several advanced features such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, integrated testing, debugging, and virtual keyboard. The IDE includes a cross-compiler and supports on-device debugging for multiple hardware platforms. It is supported and used by several leading electronics manufacturers across multiple industries, including automotive, consumer electronics, biomedical equipment, automation, and IoT.
MATLAB and Simulink
Together, MATLAB and Simulink are a common toolset among electrical and electronics engineers. Simulink is typically used for model-based designs that support system-level design, simulation, automatic code generation, testing, and verification of embedded systems.
MATLAB comprises a large collection of tools and programming interfaces for numerical computation. Embedded engineers use MATLAB to create user interfaces, visualize data, analyze data, and implement programming algorithms. The software supports interfacing with programs written in all major languages, including C++, Java, Python, C#, and others.
Using MATLAB and Simulink, you can design and code embedded applications from prototyping to production.
ARM Keil
ARM Keil is an integrated development environment for programming ARM-based microcontrollers and hardware platforms that support C/C++. The IDE includes a code editor, linkers, simulators, debuggers, assemblers, and C++ compilers. The IDE works well with all Cortex and ARM-based evaluation boards and has many libraries, third-party tools, and example codes.
This software can be used to program evaluation boards and commercial microcontrollers. It can be used for embedded software development from hobby projects to industrial applications. The tool is simplistic enough for students and effective enough for professionals.
MPLABX
MPLAB is a latest cross-platform tool for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux. The IDE can program Microchip's PIC microcontrollers and digital signal processors. The PIC is a family of microcontrollers widely used by embedded system manufacturers. The IDE supports embedded software development using C/C++ for PIC, AVR, SAM, dsPIC, and CEC microcontrollers. It also includes advanced features such as syntax highlighting, autocomplete, occurrence marking, project management, and integrated testing.
NetBeans
NetBeans is an integrated development environment for programming in Java v8 and supports other programming languages such as C/C++, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. IDE is often preferred for developing IoT applications written in Java. There are many scalable and high-availability cloud services and platforms based on Java. Java is a rich programming language widely used for developing high-end desktop, mobile, server, and embedded applications.
