Embedded Configurable Operating system

eCos (embedded Configurable operating system) is an open-source, royalty-free, highly configurable, application-specific operating system ideal for embedded systems development. eCos is targeted at high-volume applications in consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive, and other deeply embedded applications. eCos can be configured according to the hardware upon it works. The programmer or real time application developer can include the appropriate functionalities by configuration. The entire software consists of a configuration tool which can select, compile and build all the necessary packages to make an application specific operating system. eCos ensures embedded developers have a common software infrastructure for delivering a diverse range of embedded products and enables embedded software developers to focus on delivering better products, instead of developing or maintaining a real-time operating system in addition to the products themselves.

Software solutions for the embedded space place are highly machine dependent. They communicate directly with the machines. Since machines differ from each other, the program for one machine cannot be ported to another. eCos solves this problem. Embedded programming also place particularly stringent demands on the developer, typically represented as requirements for small memory footprint, high performance and robustness. These demands are also addressed in eCos. It is done by providing the ability to perform compile-time specialization: the developer can tailor the operating system to suit the needs of the application. ie eCos can configure the embedded operating system for different machines, boards and architectures. eCos also provides code portability between different machines, boards and architectures.

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