Re: Certified C compilers for safety-critical embedded systems

From: Chris Hills (chris_at_phaedsys.org)
Date: 12/26/03 

Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 10:44:07 +0000

In article <3fea086c.110513550@News.CIS.DFN.DE>, Dave Hansen
<iddw@hotmail.com> writes
>On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 20:41:41 +0000, Chris Hills <chris@phaedsys.org>
>>
>>At least with C there will usually be several commercial compilers and a
>>multitude of testing and checking tools.
>
>I think I said it earlier in this thread: The only processors I'm
>aware of that don't have a C or NQC (Not Quite C) compiler are
>four-bitters. It's ubiquitous.

I like "NQC".... it is a useful TLA as the standards people get in to a
tizz when you talk about the C that is on most 8/16 bit embedded
compilers.

>But C can be, umm, subtle, and static checking tools (particularly
>Lint) are IMHO _required_. Sadly, they're not often used.

There is NO EXCUSE for not using a static analyser on C. There are free
Lints, Commercial ones i.e. PC-Lint is only a couple 100 USD

I can't see ANY justification for not using some form of Lint with C.

>>It's one thing having a compiler but what about the rest. How many ICE
>>support ADA?
>
>Nit: ICE is hardware.

Yes.... of course it is. It is an embedded debugging tool. Somewhat
relevant in a discussion on language support in an embedded NG

> And the various debuggers I've seen shipped
>with most ICE systems don't support C particularly well either.
>And I haven't used an ICE in years.
I have... several.

ICE support C VERY well. As well as (actually better) than simulators.

There is little of no similar support for most other languages. There
is some for ADA... Years ago I saw some for Pascal and Modula2 but I
don't know any supporting them now.

If you don't use an ICE how do you debug and test?

Regards
  Chris

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