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Embedded Developer’s New Year’s Resolution

Amar Mahmutbegovic December 21, 2023

As we reach the end of another year, while wrapping up this one, we also contemplate the year ahead. Though nothing major might change on the 1st of January, it’s nice to pause during the holidays to reflect on the past and plan for future improvements.

I like to plan my professional improvements, and I always include them in my New Year’s resolution. Here are some ideas that I’d like to share.

Good Software Design Practices

Yes, we Embedded developers love...


Modern C++ in embedded development: Static Classes

Amar Mahmutbegovic October 25, 20231 comment

There is a concept of static class in C#. It is a class that contains only static members and methods, and it can’t be instantiated. In C#, a static class is declared using the static keyword. 

Static classes are used to group functions that belong to the same logical unit or software module and that may have a shared state (member variables). 

Static class in C++

The concept of a static class can be implemented in C++ as a class with all static methods and members and by deleting...


Embedded Developers, Ditch Your IDEs – Here’s Why!

Amar Mahmutbegovic September 25, 20231 comment

Ditching your Integrated Development Environment (IDE) temporarily can be a transformative learning experience in embedded development. This post invites you to explore the underpinnings of IDEs by delving into alternative tools and processes like Makefile, CMake, Vim, GDB, and OpenOCD. Understanding these tools can demystify the background operations of IDEs, revealing the intricacies of compiling, linking, and debugging. This journey into the “under the hood” aspects of development is not just about learning new tools, but also about gaining a deeper appreciation for the convenience and efficiency that IDEs provide. By stepping out of your comfort zone and experimenting with these alternatives, you can sharpen your skills, enhance your knowledge, and possibly discover a more tailored and streamlined development experience. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned developer, this exploration promises insights and revelations that can elevate your embedded development journey.


Why Should Unit Tests Feel Like Simulations?

Amar Mahmutbegovic July 23, 2023

Unit tests are designed to test units of software, but what exactly is a unit of software? It can be a function or a method, a class, or even an entire module. 

If you're just starting with unit testing, chances are you're testing the implementation of a function or a method. Consequently, if the implementation changes, you must update your tests as well, which can render the entire process pointless. This is often the case with small pieces of code, particularly in embedded development,...


Modern C++ in Embedded Development: (Don't Fear) The ++

Amar Mahmutbegovic June 13, 20232 comments

While C is still the language of choice for embedded development, the adoption of C++ has grown steadily. Yet, reservations about dynamic memory allocation and fears of unnecessary code bloat have kept many in the C camp. This discourse aims to explore the intricacies of employing C++ in embedded systems, negotiating the issues of dynamic memory allocation, and exploiting the benefits of C++ offerings like std::array and constexpr. Moreover, it ventures into the details of the zero-overhead principle and the nuanced distinctions between C and C++. The takeaway? Armed with the right knowledge and a careful approach, C++ can indeed serve as a powerful, safer, and more efficient tool for embedded development.


Modern C++ in Embedded Development: (Don't Fear) The ++

Amar Mahmutbegovic June 13, 20232 comments

While C is still the language of choice for embedded development, the adoption of C++ has grown steadily. Yet, reservations about dynamic memory allocation and fears of unnecessary code bloat have kept many in the C camp. This discourse aims to explore the intricacies of employing C++ in embedded systems, negotiating the issues of dynamic memory allocation, and exploiting the benefits of C++ offerings like std::array and constexpr. Moreover, it ventures into the details of the zero-overhead principle and the nuanced distinctions between C and C++. The takeaway? Armed with the right knowledge and a careful approach, C++ can indeed serve as a powerful, safer, and more efficient tool for embedded development.


Modern C++ in embedded development: Static Classes

Amar Mahmutbegovic October 25, 20231 comment

There is a concept of static class in C#. It is a class that contains only static members and methods, and it can’t be instantiated. In C#, a static class is declared using the static keyword. 

Static classes are used to group functions that belong to the same logical unit or software module and that may have a shared state (member variables). 

Static class in C++

The concept of a static class can be implemented in C++ as a class with all static methods and members and by deleting...


Why Should Unit Tests Feel Like Simulations?

Amar Mahmutbegovic July 23, 2023

Unit tests are designed to test units of software, but what exactly is a unit of software? It can be a function or a method, a class, or even an entire module. 

If you're just starting with unit testing, chances are you're testing the implementation of a function or a method. Consequently, if the implementation changes, you must update your tests as well, which can render the entire process pointless. This is often the case with small pieces of code, particularly in embedded development,...


Embedded Developers, Ditch Your IDEs – Here’s Why!

Amar Mahmutbegovic September 25, 20231 comment

Ditching your Integrated Development Environment (IDE) temporarily can be a transformative learning experience in embedded development. This post invites you to explore the underpinnings of IDEs by delving into alternative tools and processes like Makefile, CMake, Vim, GDB, and OpenOCD. Understanding these tools can demystify the background operations of IDEs, revealing the intricacies of compiling, linking, and debugging. This journey into the “under the hood” aspects of development is not just about learning new tools, but also about gaining a deeper appreciation for the convenience and efficiency that IDEs provide. By stepping out of your comfort zone and experimenting with these alternatives, you can sharpen your skills, enhance your knowledge, and possibly discover a more tailored and streamlined development experience. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned developer, this exploration promises insights and revelations that can elevate your embedded development journey.


Embedded Developer’s New Year’s Resolution

Amar Mahmutbegovic December 21, 2023

As we reach the end of another year, while wrapping up this one, we also contemplate the year ahead. Though nothing major might change on the 1st of January, it’s nice to pause during the holidays to reflect on the past and plan for future improvements.

I like to plan my professional improvements, and I always include them in my New Year’s resolution. Here are some ideas that I’d like to share.

Good Software Design Practices

Yes, we Embedded developers love...