m3y54m/Embedded-Engineering-Roadmap

Embedded Scripting & Containerisation

Closed this issue · 3 comments

ajlennon commented

Also use of embedded scripting languages and containerisation is going to be another big need in the future

  • MicroPython / Circuit Python

  • Docker for Embedded (e.g. meta-docker for Yocto, Balena.io, Foundries.io, Mender.io)

m3y54m commented

Python is already on the roadmap. Anyone who knows Python and has some knowledge about microcontrollers can learn MicroPython / Circuit Python in a week. Additionally, these two languages are primarily used in hobby projects rather than in industry.

Although the use of Docker is increasing in all areas of software development, it is still not an essential skill for an embedded developer.

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ajlennon commented

Anyone who knows Python and has some knowledge about microcontrollers can learn MicroPython / Circuit Python in a week.

Nope. Programming firmware, adding native driver support, the limitations on an embedded system. All different and all key

Scripting Languages for Embedded are an important and increasingly relevant thing and they merit inclusion.

Additionally, these two languages are primarily used in hobby projects rather than in industry.

That was the case. It's changing. For example Swarm.space have been shipping their space gateway EVKs with CircuitPython for a long time now. It will also continue to change. There was an excellent talk by Intel R&D at FOSDEM some years ago about how the need for IoT devices is skyrocketing and we have nowhere near enough embedded developers to fulfil the roles (nor can we train them fast enough). Hence scripting languages will take off to enable new entrants to embedded to get going.

Although the use of Docker is increasing in all areas of software development, it is still not an essential skill for an embedded developer.

I disagree, containerisation is becoming a must, but as I say you have your views and I have mine, and that's fine :)

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ajlennon commented

I'll add that people are bound to disagree on this stuff. Irrespecfive of what you or I think should go in I think you've done a brilliant job here and I will definitely be showing this to students, employees, academics and others to give them an idea of what the job entails!

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