Incredibuild Team
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From small microcontrollers to large industrial automation systems, embedded development is at the heart of the devices and products we use every day. This special branch of software engineering focuses on creating software for hardware environments that have limited power, limited computing, and often strict real-time constraints.
In these situations, choosing the right language can result in either a high-performing product or one plagued by bottlenecks or bugs.
Among the many options available, C++ stands out as both a promising and somewhat controversial candidate. In this article, we will explore how C++ fits into the world of embedded development to help you make informed decisions about your projects.
What is C++ for embedded development?
Embedded development is all about creating software for specialized hardware devices, sometimes with limited computing power, memory, and strict real-time constraints.
According to the “Embedded Survey 2023,” “C and C++ stillcontinue to dominate other languages” in embedded software development. While the former holds a slight edge in popularity, C++ has been gaining traction due to its well-known strengths. So, can C++ overtakeoverthrow C and become the top choice for embedded development? Let’s find out.
Embedded C++ vs. C++
Before diving into the pros and cons of C++ in embedded software development, it’s important to clarify the distinction between embedded C++ ( EC++) and standard C++.
EC++ is a dialect or subset of C++ specially made for embedded systems in 1998. It omits not only features that had runtime overhead, such as RTTI and virtual classes, but also some useful features such as namespace, using, and static_cast.
While EC++ remains stagnant (even the EC++ website hasn’t been updated since 2002), C++ has continued to evolve, with each new release bringing additional features and optimizations. Some of these are very helpful, particularly in embedded use cases, e.g., constexpr, static_assert, and modules.
Even Bjarne Stroustrup (the creator of C++) has shared his strong dislike for EC++ and emphasized the need to use a single standard language and thus his preference for C++ in embedded systems.
Pros of C++ for embedded development
What are the benefits of implementing C++ in embedded use cases? There are several.
Object-oriented features for improved abstraction and modularity
One of the biggest draws of C++ is its object-oriented pattern paradigm, which promotes code encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. With these, developers can represent hardware modules and peripherals as classes, grouping together data and functionality.
This approach not only boosts code readability and reduces duplication but also promotes more straightforward collaborations among teams.
Backward compatibility with C
C++ maintains a high degree of backward compatibility with C, which means that most existing C code will compile fine in a C++ environment. This is significant for embedded development companies that either have existing C code or rely on C libraries for hardware interaction.
Rich Standard Template Library (STL)
The Standard Template Library in C++ provides a collection of ready-to-use and well-optimized data structures and algorithms. This richness reduces the need to write code from scratch, as well as any chances of logical errors, and increases productivity in embedded software development.
Note: Developers must ensure that the STL components align with the constraints of the embedded system.
Support for generic programming with templates
Templates allow you to write safe and efficient code without sacrificing speed or memory. In embedded software development, this can be a game changer for writing flexible yet performant code libraries that can adapt to different hardware configurations without introducing overheads.
In addition, the newly introduced C++20 concepts offer functionalities to make generic code safer and catch any errors at compile time.
Strong community support and resources
Due to being one of the most widely used programming languages, C++ has a strong developer community and numerous resources, with CppReference being a favorite. Users also benefit from multiple open-source libraries tailored for microcontrollers and real-time operating systems (RTOSs), which can be very helpful for embedded development.
Modern C++ features like better run time computations
C++ comes with a slew of new features like constexpr for compile-time optimizations and modules for generating smaller code size; both are beneficial for embedded use cases.
Performance, concurrency, and safety improvements are a primary focus, while there are also new language features that make it a viable option for embedded development.
Cons of C++ for embedded development
Now, for the drawbacks. Let’s review.
More complex than C
C++ is inherently more complex than C due to its additional features and standard template library, meaning it can have a steeper learning curve. Certain complex features such as move semantics and smart pointers may increase the potential for errors if used incorrectly.
More resource-intensive than C
C++ can generate code that is as efficient as equivalent C code. But in some cases, certain STL containers or large template instantiations can increase memory usage if not carefully optimized.
Some extremely constrained embedded systems have strict limits on RAM and flash storage, which further complicate matters.
Slower compile times
C++ project compilation can take significantly longer than C projects, especially when they heavily rely on templates and large STL libraries. In embedded software development, iterative testing and validation are frequent, so slow compile times can hamper productivity.
This is where a tool like Incredibuild comes in handy. It combines powerful distributed processing, virtualization, and unique build caching so you can build and test at lightning speed.
Not all standard library features are usable for embedded systems
Although STL offers a rich set of functionalities, not all of them make sense in a constrained environment. Also, some parts of the library are dependent on the operating system, which might not exist in a bare metal environment, like certain iostream features or concurrency mechanisms.
Other features are also not suitable for use in RTOS-based embedded devices.
So, as an embedded software developer, you need to carefully choose C++ standard library features for your projects based on STL’s underlying constraints.
Using Incredibuild to speed up embedded C++ development
Despite the challenges, C++ remains a strong candidate for software development in embedded systems, provided you account for resource usage and compile time.
One way to mitigate slow compile times—and gain an edge in time-to-market—is to offload builds using Incredibuild’s embedded development acceleration platform.
By leveraging distributed processing and other advanced techniques, Incredibuild accelerates embedded software development and reduces waiting to allow for real-time iteration and faster time-to-market.
Conclusion
Choosing C++ for embedded development has powerful advantages, including a rich set of abstractions, backward compatibility with C, and access to modern language features that improve code reliability and modularity.
At the same time, C++ does demand extra care to ensure it doesn’t consume too many resources, slow down build cycles, or introduce complexity that exceeds the skill level of the team.
If you’re willing to invest in the right tooling and adopt best practices such as careful selection of STL features, minimal use of dynamic memory, and consistent code reviews, C++ can be an excellent choice for projects that require scalable, maintainable, and robust embedded software.
By coupling C++ with a build acceleration solution like Incredibuild, organizations can tackle the challenges discussed head-on, turning potential drawbacks into manageable tradeoffs.
In the end, whether C++ will eventually supplant C as a top choice for embedded systems remains an open question. However, it’s clear that C++ is already a formidable language in this space.
FAQs
Should I learn C++ for embedded development?
Yes. Many experts advocate learning C++ for embedded development due to its ability to offer robust abstractions and maintain backward compatibility with C. While some developers argue that C is simpler and more resource-efficient, C++ provides powerful language features that can help create more maintainable and scalable codebases.
What are the limitations of embedded C++?
EC++ omits certain features of C++ to reduce complexity and resource usage. This means that developers have fewer language features at their disposal, which can necessitate additional effort to implement certain functionalities within the constraints of embedded systems.
Is Python or C++ better for embedded development?
C++ excels in efficiency and control over hardware, which makes it suitable for embedded development, especially for low-level embedded software. Python offers ease of use and rapid development and is typically used in higher-level applications with fewer resource constraints. The choice between the two depends on hardware requirements, performance needs, and your project goals.
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