CHAPTER 36

THE MAIN SOFTWARE UTILITY TOOL

REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AN
EMDEDDED SYSTEM
36.1 Implementing the design:
Programmers and engineers implement an embedded system that conforms to the
requirements by using architecture documentation. Implementing various components of
a design that meet these requirements. In addition to understanding these components, it
is important to understand development tools. Development tools aid in implementation
of an embedded system. The development and integration of an various hardware and
software components are made possible through development tools that provide
everything from loading software into the hardware to providing complete control over
the various system component.
Embedded systems arent typically developed on one system alone-for example, the
hardware board on embedded system but usually requires at least one other computer
system connected to the embedded platform to manage development of that platform. In
short a development environment typically made up of a target(the embedded system
being designed) and a host (computer system where the code is actually developed).The
target and host are connected by some transmission medium, whether serial, Ethernet, or
other method. Programming work for embedded system done on a host, a computer
system on which all programming tools run. Only after program has been written,
compiled, assembled and linked is it moved to the target, the system that is shipped to
customers.
The key development tools in embedded design can be located on the host, on the
target or can exist stand-alone. These tools typically fall under one of three categories:
utility, translation and debugging tools. Utility tools are general tools that aid in software
or hardware development such as editors (for writing source code), VCS(version control
software) that manages software files, ROM burners that allow software to be put onto
ROMs, and so on. Translation tools convert code a developer intends for the target into a
form the target can execute, and debugging tools can be used to track down and correct

bugs in the system. Development tools of all types are as critical to project as
architecture design, because without the right tools, implementing and debugging the
system would be difficult, if not impossible.
36.2 The main software utility tool:

Text editor/IDE(Integrated development environment)

Source code is typically written with tool such as text editor or IDE located on host
(development) platform.

36.2.1 Integrated Development Environment:

IDE stands for an integrated environment for developing and debugging the target
processor embedded firmware. IDE normally consists of a source code, editors, a
complier, a linker/locater and a debugger. Most often, various tools to simplify the
construction of the code are included as well, such as for example version control
support (VCS) and integration with software frameworks from which code can be
reused.IDE is specific to the platform and is typically provide by the IDEs vendor, a
hardware manufacturer (in a starter kit that bundles the hardware board with tools such
as an IDE or text editor), OS vendor, or language vendor(C, Java etc..,).
36.2.2 Text Editor:
For writing C codes or assembly mnemonics using the keyboard of host system(PC)
for entering the program, Allows the entry, addition, deletion, insertion appending
previously written lines or files, merging record and files at the specific positions.
Creates a source file that stores the edited file. That has an appropriate name. It can be
used to write any type of code, independent of language and platform.
Source code editors may have features specifically designed to simplify and speed up
input of source code, such as syntax highlighting and auto complete functionality. These
features ease the development of code. Some commonly used editors for embedded
systems are Vi(vim), Micro soft visual studio(built in editor), Emac (GNU), BBEdit (for
Mac), kate (KDE).