Re: C vs C++ in Embedded Systems?

From: Antti Keskinen (antti.keskinen_at_REMOVEME.koti.luukku.com)
Date: 01/28/05 

Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 23:21:00 +0200

"Mayank Kaushik" <prehistorictoad2k@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1106934623.176433.166230@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> How do C and C++ compare vis-a-vis Embedded Systems? And how about with
> respect to any kind of hardware-level programming? Just asking out of
> curiosity, so plz dont qualify your answer!
>
> Regards
> Mayank
>

C is more popular and more 'streamlined' (doesn't contain anything fancy)
for smaller embedded systems. It can't be used for true object-oriented
programming, but who needs OO on 8-bit processors ? Designing something like
an RTOS requires OO, presumably, but an RTOS on an 8-bit processor ? Isn't
that a bit like overshoot ?

C++ is sometimes so loaded with different features and possibilities that
it's just too huge for it's task. I prefer using C or assembly on an
embedded system, and C++ when I'm designing applications for Windows or
Linux. The only place where I need C++ on an embedded system is when I'm
doing something for Windows Embedded or Linux Embedded.

Like they say, "C++ makes it harder to shoot yourself in the foot, but when
you do, you'll blow off the entire leg." Me, for one, am not interested in
losing my foot when creating a simple frequency doubler for a Intel MCS96..
I'll just use C or assembly :D

-Antti Keskinen

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