Electronic hardware design/ R& D Q....

[x in the city]

guys

which language is better for this field, C/C++ or Java.

I think myself its C, but the course I am due to start in sept has a main focus on Java, which has me stumped and surprised...and in a meddle

I thought Java was more for mobile applications and applets etc and C would be more for hardware and microcontrollers etc.

The course is MEng Embedded Systems @ CIT.

Thanks..!

[Anima]

In my course we did some embedded Java work. We used a TINI board for it.

Its not as configurable as C and its not as fast (at least the version I was using anyway). It is very easy to get an embedded system up and working though in short space of time. We had a web server running which would allow the user to controller the boards peripherals from it. That was with maybe 1k lines of code, so its pretty powerful.

[spideog7]

I would have thought C myself for embedded stuff, but Java if you have to deal with any type of interface. AFAIK the advantages of C++ over C are mostly lost once you move to embedded architecture as in most cases it lacks the capabilities.

[D-Generate]

I would have thought System C myself. Well its the language that we were using in UCC for the module to do with embedded systems.

[DublinDilbert]

Well Java was original developed for embedded systems, so the applications could be platform independent, but i've only ever seen it used in a small number of applications, one was a point of sale system.

C is widely used in small embedded systems and C++ in larger embedded systems.

Its good to know java, its really handy... and now days every embedded system has to talk to something, so java is really hand from that end of things...

[x in the city]

thanks for the replies lads

I still think C++ would be more widely used from a hardware side of things.

Im open to correction and need to make my mind up on a course pronto...!

areas like wireless and embedded platforms, Jtag debugging etc would be my interests.

[Carawaystick]

For Hardware Design, then Verilog or VHDL'd be the languages of choice......

Or some other Hardware Description Language.....

Software languages aren't really optimal for designing hardware....

For languages to use designing hardware, python or perl'd be handy, along with the language of choice of your EDA tool vendor.

[D-Generate]

Well if it was purely designing hardware then I would definitely suggest Verilog but for the case of embedded systems I will still promote System C. It has syntax like VHDL and Verilog such has having signals and allowing the ability to set up timing but has the power of a code like C which makes the communication between the software module and hardware module easier.

Its horses for courses really. Choose whichever you feel most comfortable with. If you feel you can do it in C then stick to C.

[ElectronEng]

It depends on which tools (cross compilers, emulators etc) are available for the micro or DSP which you are programming in.

99% of micros and DSPs will come with tools that support C, C++. Have a look at Atmel or Texas Instruments and their toolchains to get a flavour of what is available.

IMHO C/C++ is best as if you are interfacing with the hardware, registers etc.

EE.