An Embedded Software Primer [Paperback]

David E. Simon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 020161569X | ISBN-13: 978-0201615692 | Publication Date: August 15, 1999

 

"I sincerely wish (this book) had been available when I had to learn all this stuff the hard way."
--Steve Vinoski

"An excellent job of introducing and defining the jargon associated with embedded systems. This makes the text extremely easy to read."
--David Cuka

An Embedded Software Primer is a clearly written, insightful manual for engineers interested in writing embedded-system software. The example-driven approach puts you on a fast track to understanding embedded-system programming and applying what you learn to your projects. This book will give you the necessary foundation to work confidently in this field.

Building on a basic knowledge of computer programming concepts, this book will help you to:

• Learn core principles and advanced techniques of embedded-system software.
• Find out what a real-time operating system (RTOS) does and how to use one effectively.
• Experiment with sample code and the µC/OS RTOS version 1.11 (on the accompanying CD).
• Apply what you learn, no matter which microprocessor or RTOS you use.

After reading this book, you will be able to tackle the challenges of embedded system programming and quickly reap the benefits of your new skills.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent job of introducing and defining the jargon associated with embedded systems. This makes the text extremely easy to read." -- David Cuka

I sincerely wish (this book) had been available when I had to learn all this stuff the hard way." -- Steve Vinoski

From the Back Cover

--Steve Vinoski "An excellent job of introducing and defining the jargon associated with embedded systems. This makes the text extremely easy to read."
--David Cuka

An Embedded Software Primer is a clearly written, insightful manual for engineers interested in writing embedded-system software. The example-driven approach puts you on a fast track to understanding embedded-system programming and applying what you learn to your projects. This book will give you the necessary foundation to work confidently in this field.

Building on a basic knowledge of computer programming concepts, this book will help you to:

Learn core principles and advanced techniques of embedded-system software.

Find out what a real-time operating system (RTOS) does and how to use one effectively.

Experiment with sample code and the µC/OS RTOS version 1.11 (on the accompanying CD).

Apply what you learn, no matter which microprocessor or RTOS you use.

After reading this book, you will be able to tackle the challenges of embedded system programming and quickly reap the benefits of your new skills.

020161569XB04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (August 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020161569X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201615692
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Embedded Systems

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners and undergraduate level students, July 25, 2002

By 

nsrpgmiv "nsrpgmiv" (SUNNYVALE, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Embedded Software Primer (Paperback)

I started working on an embedded platform 1 year ago. Although now I have a good understanding of a lot of the aspects of the system, I never get the big picture.

This book provides exactly what I needed.

If you are a working software engineer and have spent years doing high level programming, the first few chapters will give you a good review of low-level-close-to-the-machine things that you need to know, which is also very useful for students as these are very important concepts that they need to understand to have a solid foundation to conquer higher level, more abstract CS subjects.

In embedded system, bugs in task code can bring down the device. Author has done a very good job explaining how to protect shared data using mechanism provided by a RTOS. The communication between interrupt/task and among tasks are also discussed thoroughly.

Unlike the other reviewer, I found the use of the C!! language in this book a very clever way to abstract away the hardware dependent code from the point being discussed. Consider it pseudo comment if you will.

BTW, the excellent typesetting and use of fonts also makes it a very pleasant experience reading this book.

Looking forward to see a more advanced text on embedded system from this author in the future.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What I Learned The Hard Way, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Embedded Software Primer (Paperback)

This is a great book for begineers. The author touches upon just about all aspects of software development for embedded systems. This information is usually learned the hard way - on the job. This book will give begineers a head start with the numerous examples of how to do things. And how NOT to do things. I have made it required reading for my software engineers - new and experienced.

In addition, the book is easy reading. The author keeps things somewhat brief and to the point.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, excellent content, very well written!, June 13, 2000

By 

Rob Wehrli (Melbourne) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Embedded Software Primer (Paperback)

I shouldn't need to say more; If you're interested in learning about writing software for embedded systems, this book will take you by the hand and get you there without a lot of fuss or difficulty in trying to figure out advanced topics from a 50,000ft perspective. It drills into each discussion using simplified but not simpleton characteristics of this writer's excellent skill. I recommend this book to every software engineer starting on the path to developing embedded systems. The use of uCOS-II is a decent idea, especially for everyone interested in doing a little embedded systems development using PC hardware...however, I believe that it is a less-than perfect choice because of the rather limited compiler choices for uCOS-II, which should at least include GNU's gcc, but doesn't last time I checked.