Guide

Developing embedded software with DevOps

A guide on how to improve the development processes for embedded software by adopting basic DevOps practices.

Learn how to improve the development processes for embedded software by adopting DevOps practices

Embedded software is used to control machines and devices, but there is more to it than domestic appliances. The modern world runs on embedded software: critical infrastructure, medical devices, nuclear energy, airplanes, and cars are all controlled by it. The challenge faced for embedded systems is that the customer is often very difficult to deliver to. Embedded software development will always pose big challenges due to the nature of production environments.

With DevOps you can accelerate the software development life cycle and produce a continuous delivery of high-quality software releases to the production environment. That way you can reduce time-to-market, increase quality, and improve efficiency.

If you have the right tools and the right approach, DevOps principles can be implemented in the embedded world.

Learn how to overcome challenges with tooling and methodology in this ebook.

  • What are embedded systems?

  • Unique challenges with embedded software

  • Busting the myth of incompatibility

Watch our DevOps explained series

DevOps explained

"Shifting left" is a key DevOps concept. It's all about feedback. But how to implement this practice and why should you care about shifting left? Johan Abildskov tells you in less than 2 minutes.
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Scaling and deploying environments as you need in a reproducible manner is essential for high performance in IT. Watch Johan Abildskov explain why infrastructure as code matters in our #DevOpsexplained series.

DevOps in the embedded world

Embedded software development poses a unique set of challenges for DevOps practitioners. How can continuous releases to production be made without tests in production-like environments? How can updates be securely deployed to connected devices? How to encourage frequent releases when safety so crucial in embedded systems (defense, healthcare, aircraft...)?

How is it possible to make early and continuous delivery of valuable software to systems that are embedded?

Software development in embedded systems is a unique process, but the essential principles of DevOps are perfectly compatible with embedded systems with the right tools and the right approach. By starting with version control and working towards automated testing, it's possible to continuously improve on an embedded software delivery pipeline without the need for large scale reorganization, or even risk.

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  • DevOps
  • Embedded