Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Embedded Linux tops developers' 2002 wishlist
Aug. 17, 2001

Embedded Linux is currently the third most popular embedded operating system -- behind Wind River's VxWorks and Microsoft's MS-DOS -- and may leap-frog into the #1 position as soon as next year, according to a new report on embedded software trends published last month by software market analyst Evans Data Corporation. The survey of over 500 embedded system developers covers embedded operating systems, databases, development tools, hardware platforms, and system development issues.

Current usage

Including "home grown" software -- which still accounts for more than half of all embedded operating systems (OSes) and kernels -- as a category, the top 10 embedded OSes being used in current projects (ordered by usage) are . . .
  1. Home grown OSes and kernels
  2. Wind River OSes (VxWorks and VxWorks AE)
  3. DOS
  4. Embedded Linux
  5. Microsoft Windows CE
  6. QNX
  7. ATI Nucleus
  8. Green Hills OSes (ThreadX and Integrity)
  9. LynuxWorks LynxOS
  10. Sun Microsystems Chorus
This chart illustrates current usage (blue) along with projected 2002 usage (green), sorted by current usage . . .



Expected usage next year

One of the most striking results of the survey is the indication of a dramatic shift away from "home grown" OSes, which have traditionally accounted for between half and two-thirds of all embedded systems' OSes. The roll-your-own category practically vanishes in a single year, with much of the slack taken up by Embedded Linux, which grows by over 140% to jump past embedded software market leader Wind River in market share.

Based on the collected data, the top 10 embedded OSes a year from now (ordered by usage) would be . . .
  1. Embedded Linux
  2. Wind River
  3. Windows CE
  4. LynxOS
  5. BSD
  6. Green Hills
  7. QNX
  8. DOS
  9. Chorus
  10. "Home grown"
The following chart shows both current usage (blue) and projected 2002 usage (green), sorted by 2002 usage . . .



The sample -- embedded system developers

To obtain data for the report, Evans Data Corporation interviewed over 500 developers actively working with embedded systems. Roughly 85% of the developers interviewed were located in North America.

The developer sample was taken from a combination of lists. The phone list was based on qualified readers of EE Product News. Numbers were randomly drawn from the list and interviewers called enough to complete a target of roughly 100 developers. The remainder of the completed surveys were conducted online.

Developers from related opt-in lists were contacted via email and asked to go to a private location online and fill out the survey.

Opt-in email lists used to recruit developers included those from RTC Group, Electronic Design News, and Electronics Design. In addition an ad banner at Circuit Cellar was also used to recruit a limited number of developers.

Motivators were the ability to influence major tools makers and entry into a contest to win $500 cash.



Related stories:



(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• FPGAs shrink for mobile devices
• Tiny Bluetooth access point runs Linux
• Appliances use Pentium M SoC
• Laser-guided French robots run Linux
• GPL compliance guide published
• PMPs run Linux on ARM Cortex
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Intel aims x86 at digital TVs
• Intel unveils dual-core Atom
• Linux powers MID-like nav device
• Virtualization technology targets MIDs
• Open-source phone getting WiFi sign-on port
• Streaming media player targets netbooks, nettops
• Intel announces high-speed SSDs
• Dell embeds Linux in enterprise laptops


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Updated! Linux Mobile Phones Showcase
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• First Atom-based notebook runs Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• "PDA phone" runs Linux
• Intel offers $80 "Little Falls" Atom mobo
• Netflix Player runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops
• Unified communications groupware comes to Linux
• Lightweight GNOME alternative emerges
• Freespire lives! Goes back to Debian
• gOS 3.0 goes Gadget crazy


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.