Bare Metal C

Bare Metal C will teach you how to program embedded devices with the C programming language. For embedded system programmers who want precise and complete control over the system they are using, this book pulls back the curtain on what the compiler is doing for you so that you can see all the details of what's happening with your program.

The first part of the book teaches C basics with the aid of a low-cost, widely available bare metal system (the Nucleo Arm evaluation system), which gives you all the tools needed to perform basic embedded programming. As you progress through the book you’ll learn how to integrate serial input/output (I/O) and interrupts into your programs. You’ll also learn what the C compiler and linker do behind the scenes, so that you’ll be better able to write more efficient programs that maximize limited memory. Finally, you’ll learn how to use more complex, memory hungry C features like dynamic memory, file I/O, and floating-point numbers.

Topic coverage includes:

• The basic program creation process
• Simple GPIO programming (blink an LED)
• Writing serial device drivers
• The C linker and preprocessor
• Decision and control statements
• Numbers, arrays, pointers, strings, and complex data types
• Local variables and procedures
• Dynamic memory
• File and raw I/O
• Floating-point numbers
• Modular programming

About the Author

Steve Oualline wrote his first program when he was 11. It was for an embedded system. He has been programming and designing
methodologies for reliable programming ever since. He has a Master of Science from USC and has written many books for both No Starch Press and O’Reilly.

Table of contents

Introduction

PART I: Embedded Programming

Chapter 1: Hello World

Chapter 2: Introduction to the Integrated Development Environment

Chapter 3: Programming the Microcontroller

Chapter 4: Numbers and Variables

Chapter 5: Decision and Control Statements

Chapter 6: Arrays, Pointers, and Strings

Chapter 7: Local Variables and Procedures

Chapter 8: Complex Data Types

Chapter 9: Serial Output on the STM

Chapter 10: Interrupts

Chapter 11: The Linker

Chapter 12: The Preprocessor

PART II: C for Big Machines

Chapter 13: Dynamic Memory

Chapter 14: Buffered File I/O

Chapter 15: Command Line Arguments and Raw I/O

Chapter 16: Floating-Point Numbers

Chapter 17: Modular Programming