Embedded Testing
Embedded testing is a specialized discipline within software engineering focused on verifying and validating software that runs on embedded systems, such as microcontrollers, IoT devices, automotive systems, and medical devices. It involves techniques and tools to ensure the reliability, safety, and performance of software in resource-constrained, real-time environments. This includes unit testing, integration testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and system-level validation.
Developers should learn embedded testing when working on safety-critical or resource-limited systems, such as in automotive, aerospace, medical, or industrial automation, where failures can have severe consequences. It is essential for ensuring compliance with standards like ISO 26262 (automotive) or IEC 62304 (medical devices), and for debugging complex interactions between software and hardware in real-time scenarios.