What is Embedded C?

Embedded C Jun 19, 2022 0 4.5K Add to Reading List

Embedded C is an extension of C Language. It inherits all the fundamentals of C. Only Difference between Embedded C and C lies in their Application.

Embedded C is used for Programming Processors with constrained resources. e.g. Less Processing Power, RAM, ROM and IOs. Embedded C is targeted for code speed and size as the devices targeted are limited with resources and for a dedicated purpose.

Whereas, C language is typically used for Desktop OS applications like windows device drivers etc. Where resources are not constrained.

C language is statically-typed, which means a type of the variable is known at the compile time. C is also a procedural programming language. This means everything in C is a function. C programs always have a main() function that is the entry point of the program. After execution program also exits from the main().

Why C is used for constrained devices?

C footprint is small thus the program can be easily optimized for code and speed.
C supports the memory level access, used for Input/Output pin states, data transfer to I2C etc.
C is processor independent, the compiler converts the C into Machine code. So easy to use and simple to learn.
C is efficient as it is a low-level language.