Embedded Linux Development Using Eclipse
The Eclipse environment solves the problem of having to maintain your own Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which is time consuming and costly. Embedded tools can also be easily integrated into Eclipse. The C/C++CDT is ideal for the embedded community with more than 70% of embedded developers using this language to write embedded code. Eclipse simplifies embedded system development and then eases its integration into larger platforms and frameworks.
In this book, Doug Abbott examines Eclipse, an IDE, which can be vital in saving money and time in the design and development of an embedded system. Eclipse was created by IBM in 2001 and then became an open-source project in 2004. Since then it has become the de-facto IDE for embedded developers. Virtually all of the major Linux vendors have adopted this platform, including MontVista, LynuxWorks, and Wind River.
*Details the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE) essential to streamlining your embedded development process
*Overview of the latest C/C++ Developer's Toolkit (CDT)
*Includes case studies of Eclipse use including Monta Vista, LynuxWorks, and Wind River
Why Read This Book
You will learn how to make Eclipse CDT the center of a productive embedded Linux workflow, saving time by consolidating cross-compilation, remote debugging, and deployment into a single IDE. The book gives practical, hands-on guidance for integrating embedded toolchains and debugging tools so you can spend less time on your environment and more time on firmware and system code.
Who Will Benefit
Embedded software and firmware engineers (C/C++) who work on Linux-based targets and want to streamline cross-build, debug, and deployment workflows with an IDE.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic C/C++ programming, familiarity with the Linux command line and concepts of cross-compilation and embedded targets.
Key Takeaways
- Configure Eclipse CDT for cross-compiling and managing embedded Linux projects
- Set up and perform remote debugging using GDB and gdbserver from within Eclipse
- Integrate toolchains, makefiles and build systems into an IDE-driven workflow
- Deploy and run applications on remote targets (ssh/TFTP/serial) directly from Eclipse
- Extend Eclipse with plugins for version control, profiling and target-specific tools
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction to Eclipse and the Embedded Developer’s Problem
- 2. Installing Eclipse CDT and Basic Configuration
- 3. Workspace, Projects and Source Management for Embedded Code
- 4. Cross-Compilation Toolchains and Project Settings
- 5. Building with Make, Autotools and Other Build Systems
- 6. Remote Targets: Deployment and File Transfer (SSH, TFTP, Serial)
- 7. Debugging Embedded Linux Applications with GDB and gdbserver
- 8. Debugging Native vs. Cross-built Binaries; Kernel and Module Notes
- 9. Integrating Version Control and Team Development Tools
- 10. Extending Eclipse: Useful Plugins and Creating Simple Plug-ins
- 11. Profiling, Tracing and Performance Analysis from Eclipse
- 12. Case Studies and Example Embedded Workflows
- 13. Troubleshooting, Tips and Best Practices
- Appendices: Toolchain Recipes, Useful Commands, Further Reading
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Christopher Hallinan's Embedded Linux Primer (which focuses on OS internals and system design), Abbott's book zeroes in on using Eclipse CDT to run and manage the embedded Linux development lifecycle; for Eclipse-centric internals, compare with general Eclipse guides like the Eclipse IDE Pocket Guide.
