Difference Between C and Embedded C
Nowadays embedded applications are written with the help of programming languages like C. It is the rapidly growing field today. Embedded applications are written using high level languages like C mainly for two reasons Firstly; it has become difficult to manage the applications using low level of programming languages. Secondly, there is a need to update embedded programs regularly because new models of processors are released by the manufacturers frequently. As the C language has the feature of reusability, it solves both the problems.
Embedded C helps in writing efficient embedded applications by adapting C programming language. Embedded C provides the programmers all the useful features of a high level programming language. It enables him to communicate with the target embedded processor directly for improved performance. Extensions to support accessing basic I/O hardware have been added over the years by many independent programmers. Embedded C combines various practices and provides single uniform syntax.
What is C?
Dennis Ritchie developed a high level programming language called C in 1970s. The main aim was to develop system software. However, it is used by application software feely. C language is very popular among the programmers. It is so popular that C compilers exist for all the computer architectures. Many other languages like Java and C++ are also influenced by C. C++ has syntax similar to C as it was developed as an extension to C.
Embedded C
Embedded C is used to develop efficient programs for embedded devices. It is an extension to C programming language. It is not a part of C language. The ISO working group named ‘Extensions for the Programming language C to Support Embedded Processors’ developed it. It has been mentioned in the 2004 Technical Report on Embedded C. Embedded C was developed with a view to increase the performance of Digital Signal Process and embedded processing. It makes it possible to develop applications in the domain of embedded systems.
Difference between C and Embedded C
C is mainly intended for system programming. Embedded C is an extension of C Programming language which supports the development of efficient programs used for embedded devices. It is not the part of the C language. It is suitable for embedded programming while C is used for desktop programming. Embedded C makes it possible for the programmer to communicate directly to the target processor. Therefore, it improves the performance. Embedded C creates files which may are downloaded in microcontrollers. On the other hand, C creates files which depend on the operating system and are executable. Embedded C has multiple memory areas, fixed point types and I/O register mapping while C lacks these features.