Course Description:
Many engineers work with the C programming language everyday for real-time embedded development. However some hit a plateau and never feel comfortable with certain aspects of the language. This course aims to move people off that plateau and give them a fuller appreciation of the more advanced aspects of the language. Because of the requirements for programming real-time embedded systems, this course goes beyond just addressing the language issues and explores compile, link and run-time issues. In addition it covers interrupts and multi-tasking areas specific to C.

As part of the course, approximately 50% of the time is given over to writing code for a real target.

Overview:
An intensive four day course covering the advanced aspects of the C programming for the real-time embedded programmer.

Course Objectives:
• To become comfortable with the advanced aspects of the C programming language
• To gain an in-depth knowledge on what is happening at compile, link and runtime on a target processor
• To introduce good quality and style for real-time embedded programming
• To gain hands-on experiences of programming up interrupts and real-time operating systems.

Delegates will learn:
• Advanced aspects of the C programming language
• The traps and pitfalls of the language (e.g. structure packing, dynamic memory, etc.)
• Compile, link, and run-time memory models
• MISRA-C (www.mira.org) guidelines
• What parts of C should and should not be used in real-time embedded systems programming.

Pre-requisites:
• A good grasp of the fundamentals of C, or
• Attendance of Feabhas course C-501 : C for Real-Time Programmers.

Who Should Attend:
The course is designed for engineers who want to improve their grounding and understanding of the C programming language. It is specifically aimed at issues relevant to real-time embedded software engineers.

Duration:
Four days

Course Materials:
• Delegate Handbook

Related Courses:
• RTOS-201 Fundamentals of Real-Time Operating Systems
• OO-503 Real-Time Software Design with UML 2.0
• MC-101 Guidelines for Writing High Integrity Software in C
• C-501 C for Real-Time Developers

Course Workshop:
The course workshop uses the GNU compiler and the Philips LCP2129 ARM7TDMI microcontroller as a target for the handson sessions. Exercises are designed to stretch attendees’ abilities and explore subtleties of the language. A good working knowledge of the C programming language is essential as some of the exercises involve extensive programming. The µC/OS-II RTOS is used for the hands-on exercises relating to multitasking.