Why FreeBSD is the Right Choice for Embedded Devices: Discussion

S

sidetone

Thread why-freebsd-is-the-right-choice-for-embedded-devices.96876 implies, as if copyleft in itself isn't good. Copyleft as in CDDL, MPL and similar licenses actually work well, bc they don't have viralness beyond well defined borders, in those cases files. Also, LGPL isn't so bad either, but its purpose is to be compatible with GPL.

In my eyes, "viral" copyleft is the problem, where there's no separation, at least to allow the use of libraries, without forcing extensive code into the license. File based, and Directory file-based would be good too, depending on needs. Simply, these all allow a separation, to allow use with other purposes without necessarily forcing up code.

In GPL's case, one piece of code takes over everything connected to it through a permissive license.

Apache 2.0 is good, bc it is both permissive and while allowing use with GPL, it keeps a clear distinction from a takeover.

Also: further discussion on article that doesn't necessarily have to be license related.
 
Phishfry's, and tingo's objections are right. One need to distinguish between embedded devices, and embedded systems. Embedded device not necasserily means operating system on board.

Talking embedded means to take always a very close, and careful look on the hardware, cause there is way more priority, while at the same time less flexibility, and no compromises to it as in desktop machines.
Real time is determinant. If you have hard real time requirements (lots of data, high frequencys) any 'classic' operating system gets to its limits. You may get a satisfying solution more easy by going directly 'bare metal' instead of stripping down, and tuning your OS to the max. Not seldom it's the only choice anyway.

But if we talk free choices for embedded systems FreeBSD is always my first pick to check its usability. Second is NetBSD.
Not only because of the BSD license which like MIT, and Apache I prefer over GPL for several reasons on certain projects (no need to be elaborated [again.])
But also for its more easy to gain modular adaptability. With Linux I either get a complete system, often even with a complete desktop environment I need to strip down, or I need to start to tinker everything completely by foot myself, starting with a bare kernel... - compared with that starting with a basic FreeBSD is way more comfortable.

Has anybody experiences with other alternatives, e.g. NuttX?
 
Some people (don't ask me why) create models in MATLAB that runs some sort of algorithm they have created, to either control or measure things on embedded devices. The algorithm is placed into something called a "bottle" (no, I have no idea what it is) and made to run on the embedded device. Examples of such algorithms: State of Charge, State of Health for a battery pack.
 
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