Williams R. Real-time systems development

Burlington: Elsevier, 2006. - 468p.
As more and more of our daily technology depends on embedded microprocessors, the demand for good real-time software has grown enormously.
So it is unfortunate that computer science students frequently only develop and run programs on standard desktop Windows platforms. This leaves them somewhat unprepared for the extra problems encountered should they end up producing code for a new DVD player, a mobile handset or an Internet packet router. This text reveals some of the particular difficulties encountered when designing for real-time systems, and the alternative routes available for software realization. It is perhaps a shame that so few programmers have the opportunity to study the science and art of real-time systems before being confronted by their first real-time project. As a large proportion of new domestic and leisure equipment relies on microprocessors for basic operations, the world might be a safer and less frustrating experience for all of us if this situation could be rectified.