How do you document and maintain your embedded software code and project?

Let's assume that you have implemented all the drivers and verified that all features work as expected. If you do not look at the device driver code for one month, it will be hard to understand what you have implemented. In the case of embedded software, many routines are associated with the following: - Implementing the memory-mapped I/O as described in the data sheet - Implementing the interrupt handling It is important to add comments around the routines designed to control specific peripherals. The documentation or commenting on the code is fundamentally about helping you understand what you have implemented.

Comments are probably the best thing to use in order to document the code that you are writing for the project. I also use tools like doxygen to maintain software documentation for complex and large projects

Your documentation will be uneven until you've had to maintain code that's been 1: poorly document, 2:inaccurately documented, 3: over documented, and 4: usefully documented. Software doesn't "work" until a stranger, probably an inexperienced stranger, can make a small change quickly and without resorting to guessing, good luck, or magic. Only when you've seen both the really good and the truly awful do you start to understand what might be necessary, why it is necessary, and what kinds of documentation are legitimately harmful.

When documenting and maintaining embedded software, I focus on clear documentation of requirements and having a solid architecture. where software is often time-critical, clean code and a well-structured architecture are essential for ensuring robust performance. I group SW Units into logical stacks or features with clear interface documentation. This way, code reviews become easier, and reusing code is simpler. also have a "red line" architecture rule-no crossing- without agreement. This ensures that any future changes are carefully managed. Automated testing is also very important because it protects the core functionality, avoids regressions, and helps maintain the software’s reliability and flexibility.

Coding made easy with my top 3 GitHub tips Here are 3 simple tricks I've picked up: 1. ➡️ Regular updates! Commit your changes often, and don't forget to include clear messages about what you changed.📝 2. ➡️ Branch out! Use different branches for various features and bug fixes.🔀 3. ➡️ Always have a Plan B! GitHub and other remote repositories are lifesavers when you need a backup.☁️ Remember, even the most complex tasks can be broken down into simple steps! I hope these tips help you out.🍀

Writing meaningful commit messages helps distinguish commits, making it easy to revert or check out a previous state. Link the repo with JIRA and mention the JIRA ticket number in each commit and attach all coding and test observations in the ticket. This practice ensures that anyone reviewing the code can understand the context and purpose of the changes. I use Git Lens extension in VS Code to check the history of specific code sections, which provides clear insights into how and why certain code blocks were implemented by looking at the JIRA ticket.

In collaborative software development, maintaining a clean and readable commit history is crucial for both code quality and project transparency. Git Rebase offers an effective way to achieve this by integrating changes into the main branch without creating unnecessary merge commits, which can clutter the commit log. By keeping the history linear, Rebase ensures that every commit follows a clear and logical sequence, making it easier for team members to track changes and understand the evolution of the project. This method also helps in avoiding redundant information and enhances the overall readability of the version history.

People talk about modular and reusable code, but rarely mention how to constraint the project so that it becomes modular and reusable and the fastest way to do it is to enforce that every change that is made must work in multiple different context right away. This is best done through well thought out CI/CD and through automated tests. Followed by packaging of parts of the project so that tests and requirements represented by these tests can be attached to a packaged deliverable. Build it at least for posix and a hardware target, but preferably build and run automated tests on many different targets.

Using modular and reusable code simplifies, structures, and optimizes the embedded software, reducing errors, duplication, and maintenance efforts. By separating the logic, data, and interface of the code, and encapsulating the functionality and abstraction of hardware components, sensors, and protocols, modular code ensures a clear and maintainable structure. Additionally, leveraging libraries, frameworks, and templates that offer standard functions and features.Also this practice facilitates easier updates and scaling of the project over time.

As an embedded software engineer, getting to know your hardware really boosts your coding skills. Tools like analyzers, oscilloscopes, and debuggers offer a close-up view of how your hardware behaves, like the latency, default states, clock jitters, etc. This deeper understanding helps you write more efficient and reliable code by considering all these factors. Over time, using these tools not only enhances your hardware knowledge but also helps you think in new ways while coding, making you a more mature and experienced engineer overall.

Getting code to run smoothly can seem complex. Simplify it with these key steps: 1. Manage settings with configuration files. 2. Automate builds using tools, such as CMake. 3. Create scripts for code deployment to target devices. Streamline your coding process and make life easier.

🪄Magic happens when we prioritize user feedback in software development! 🎯Feedback is key: Listen to user inputs to pinpoint issues. 📊Data-driven approach: Utilize analytics tools to keep track of software performance. 💡Continuous evolution: Regularly modify and upgrade the software. Embedded software engineering emphasizes these modus operandi to ensure a high-quality product. Remember, your users are your most significant assets, their satisfaction translates directly into your success! 🚀