Course Overview

Course Length: 
1 Day
CEUs: 
0.7
Format: 
Lecture

Embedded software expert Michael Barr presents new techniques for keeping bugs out with coding standards.

There are many sources of bugs in software programs. Some bugs are created by the original programmer. Other bugs result from misunderstandings of the original code by those who maintain, extend, and/or reuse (or port) that code at a later time. The number of bugs introduced by the original programmer can be reduced through the disciplined application of certain coding practices. In addition, some types of bugs caused by maintenance programmers can be prevented by the original programmer through commenting and careful and consistent naming of variables and functions.

Coding standards, which consider these issues from the start, are valuable tools to keep bugs out of medical devices and other safety-critical embedded systems. This course demonstrates how coding standards can be used to effectively keep software bugs out of C and C++ programs. The price of the course includes a license to use and modify a Microsoft Word copy of Barr Group's Embedded C Coding Standard and attendees are shown how to easily tailor that to the needs of their organization.

Topics covered during this course include:

  • Introduction to Coding Standards
  • General Rules
  • Comments
  • White Space
  • Modules
  • Data Types
  • Procedures
  • Variables
  • Expressions and Statements

This course is appropriate for:

  • Embedded software developers
  • Technical leaders and managers

Prerequisites:  Attendees should be familiar with the C programming language.

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Syllabus

The following is a summary of the major course topics and should not considered the section-by-subsection lecture breakdown.

Introduction

  • Purpose of a Standard
  • Guiding Principles
  • Enforcement Procedure
  • Deviation Procedure

General Rules

  • Which C?
  • Line Width
  • Braces
  • Parentheses
  • Common Abbreviations
  • Casts
  • Keywords to Avoid
  • Keywords to Frequent

Comments

  • Acceptable Formats
  • Location and Content

White Space

  • Spaces
  • Alignment
  • Blank Lines
  • Indentation
  • Tabs
  • Linefeeds

Modules

  • Naming Conventions
  • Header Files
  • Source Files
  • File Templates

Data Types

  • Naming Conventions
  • Fixed-Width Integers
  • Signed Integers
  • Floating Point
  • Structures and Unions

Procedures

  • Naming Conventions
  • Functions
  • Function-Like Macros
  • Tasks
  • Interrupt Service Routines

Variables

  • Naming Conventions
  • Initialization

Expressions and Statements

  • Variable Declarations
  • If-Else Statements
  • Switch Statements
  • Loops
  • Unconditional Jumps
  • Equivalence Tests

Related Courses

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Contact us now to find out more about this course or to enquire about an on-site training at your company.

Recording Policy

Barr Group's courses may not be audiotaped, videotaped, or photographed without consent from Barr Group's executive team.