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C++ in Embedded Systems
C++ in Embedded Systems

C++ in Embedded Systems: A practical transition from C to modern C++

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C++ in Embedded Systems

Debunking Common Myths about C++

Writing software for microcontrollers and embedded systems is challenging. In order to get the most out of resource-constrained systems, embedded developers need to have a good knowledge of platform architecture. They need to be aware of available resources, including processor capabilities, available memory, and peripherals. The need to have direct access to hardware through memory-mapped peripherals has made C the language of choice for embedded systems for half a century.

The goal of any programming language is to carry out the process of converting application-specific abstractions into code that can be transformed into machine code. For instance, Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) is used for banking applications, and Fortran is used for scientific research and heavy mathematic calculations. C is, on the other hand, a general-purpose programming language commonly used in operating systems (OSs) and embedded system applications.

...

Technical requirements

To get the most out of this chapter, I strongly recommend using Compiler Explorer (https://godbolt.org/) as you read through the examples. Select GCC as your compiler and target x86 architecture. This will allow you to see standard output (stdio) results and better observe the code’s behavior. The examples from this chapter are available on GitHub (https://github.com/PacktPublishing/Cpp-in-Embedded-Systems/tree/main/Chapter01).

A short history of C++

In the mid-60s, the simulation programming language SIMULA introduced classes and objects to the world of software development. Classes are abstractions that allow us to represent real-world concepts in programming in a concise way, making the code more human-readable. In embedded development, UART, SPI, TemperatureSensor, PidController, and TemperatureController are some concepts that can be implemented as classes. SIMULA also introduced hierarchical relationships between classes. For example, PT100 class is also a TemperatureSensor class, and TemperatureController class has a member instance (object) of TemperatureSensor and a PidController. This became known as object-oriented programming (OOP).

In reflecting on the evolution of programming languages, Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++, shared his approach to designing C++. Stroustrup aimed to bridge the gap between high-level abstractions and low-level efficiency. He said the following:

...

C with Classes

Historically speaking, C++ started as C with Classes. The first C++ compiler, Cfront, converted C++ to C, but that was a long time ago. Over time, C and C++ evolved separately and are now defined by separate language standards. C has maintained its simplicity, while C++ has become a modern language that enables abstract solutions for problems without sacrificing performance levels. But C++ is still sometimes called C with Classes, which implies that there is no added value in C++ except the classes.

The C++11 standard was released in 2011, and it is the second major version of C++. It is packed with features that modernize the language, such as range-based loops, lambdas, and constexpr. Subsequent releases, C++14, C++17, C++20, and C++23, kept modernizing the language and introducing features that make C with Classes merely a distant predecessor of modern C++.

Modern C++

To demonstrate that C++ is not just C with Classes, let’s explore a couple of...

Bloat and runtime overhead

The term bloatware describes unwanted software that is preinstalled with an OS on a device. Unwanted software in the world of programming describes code inserted in a binary by a framework, a library, or a language construct itself. Language constructs in C++ that are blamed for causing code bloat are constructors, destructors, and templates. We will analyze these misconceptions by examining assembly output generated from C++ code.

Constructors and destructors

The first thing that comes to mind to non-C++ developers when you mention C++ is that it is an object-oriented language and that you are bound to instantiate objects. Objects are instances of classes. They are variables that occupy memory. Special functions, called constructors, are used to construct or instantiate objects.

Constructors are used to initialize objects, including the initialization of class members, and destructors are used to clean up resources. They are tightly tied to...

Summary

C++ is guided by the zero-overhead principle. The only two language features that do not follow it are RTTI and exceptions, and that’s why compilers support a switch for turning them off.

The zero-overhead principle is based on two statements that we established in this chapter:

  • You don’t pay for what you don’t use
  • What you do use is just as efficient as what you could reasonably write by hand

RTTI and exceptions are disabled in most embedded projects, so you don’t pay for them. Using generic types and templates is a design choice and is no more expensive than writing individual types by hand (ring_buffer_int, ring_buffer_float, and so on), but it lets you reuse the code logic for different types, makes the code more readable and easier for maintenance.

Working on high-risk systems is not a reason to disable compiler optimization capabilities. Code functionality needs to be verified whether we are building a program...

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Key benefits

  • Bridge the gap between C and modern C++ for embedded systems through practical examples
  • Learn how to save memory and cut down on runtime computing using compile-time computation techniques
  • Improve your software design skills by applying patterns to solve common problems in embedded systems using C++
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

Transitioning from C can be daunting, with concerns about performance overhead, added complexity, and unfamiliar tooling. Addressing these challenges, Amar Mahmutbegovic, an advocate for modern C++ in embedded development, shows you how to harness zero-cost abstractions, compile-time checks, and powerful modern C++ capabilities to preserve performance while achieving safer, cleaner code. This book bridges the gap between traditional C and advanced C++, helping you retain the efficiency C developers demand while unlocking the safety and expressiveness of modern C++. Starting with a modern development environment setup, including a Docker container for seamless example replication, you’ll overcome the hurdles of using the C++ standard library in memory-constrained settings and get acquainted with the Embedded Template Library (ETL) as an alternative. The book walks you through essential C++ concepts before exploring advanced topics such as templates, strong typing, error handling, compile-time computation, and RAII. Through practical examples, you'll implement a sequencer, write a type-safe HAL, and apply patterns like Command, State, and Observer to solve common embedded development problems. By the end of this book, you’ll have learned how to apply modern C++ to develop robust, modular firmware with performance matching or exceeding hand-coded C solutions.

Who is this book for?

This book is for embedded developers who primarily use C and want to adopt a modern C++ approach. It introduces fundamental C++ concepts, making it suitable for beginners, while also assuming basic familiarity to fully leverage advanced features like compile-time computation. Even those with prior C++ experience will discover new ways to apply modern best practices to write more efficient and maintainable embedded applications.

What you will learn

  • Debunk myths and misconceptions about using C++ in embedded systems
  • Set up build automation tailored for C++ in constrained environments
  • Leverage strong typing to improve type safety
  • Apply modern C++ techniques, such as Resource Acquisition Is Initialization (RAII)
  • Use Domain Specific Language (DSL) with a practical example using Boost SML
  • Implement software development best practices, including the SOLID principle, in embedded development
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Publication date : Jul 02, 2025
Length: 402 pages
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Language : English
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Table of Contents

24 Chapters
Part I: Introduction to C++ in Embedded Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Debunking Common Myths about C++ Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Challenges in Embedded Systems with Limited Resources Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Embedded C++ Ecosystem Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Setting Up the Development Environment for a C++ Embedded Project Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part II: C++ Fundamentals Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Classes – Building Blocks of C++ Applications Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Beyond Classes – Fundamental C++ Concepts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Strengthening Firmware – Practical C++ Error Handling Methods Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part III: C++ Advanced Concepts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building Generic and Reusable Code with Templates Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Improving Type-Safety with Strong Types Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Writing Expressive Code with Lambdas Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Compile-Time Computation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part IV: Applying C++ to Solving Embedded Domain Problems Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Writing C++ HAL Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Working with C Libraries Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Enhancing Super-Loop with Sequencer Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Practical Patterns – Building a Temperature Publisher Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Designing Scalable Finite State Machines Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Libraries and Frameworks Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Cross-Platform Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
(4 Ratings)
5 star 100%
4 star 0%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
Francisco Cruz Jul 18, 2025
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Excellent book on application of C++ on embedded systems. Giving clear explanation in what to use and what to avoid when using C++ in embedded systems. I always been a C programmer, and this book motivate me to, finally, jump into C++. It teaches basic and advanced concept on C++.
Feefo Verified review Feefo
Andrew Aug 21, 2025
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great book for experienced embedded C developers looking to transition into C++.
Subscriber review Packt
Andrew Aug 21, 2025
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great book for experienced embedded C developers looking to transition into C++.
Subscriber review Packt
Druilhe Jean-Louis Aug 13, 2025
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I was first interested by this book knowing that embedded C++ is not as frequent lecture as we want. I'm used to writing C for multiple targets but I have learned a lot of useful methods and tricks in accordance with C++ language. In the end I realized that I was writing more using C than C++. There are many reminders of the main concepts of the C++ language and it is very useful to learn some else again. In certain cases, myself will not know how to apply the fine compiler settings but a lot of advice is given to reduce bloated code to optimize your solution. The downloadable examples are necessary if you want to test in the Visual Studio Code environment. The reminders about state machines are interesting and I hope to be able to build my own classes tomorrow for different wired or radio communications. I am not an expert finding out new operator or special syntax every day when I use C++ encoding for embedded target but this book will serve me for a long time because practically all my questions can be answered there.
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