Embedded system

An embedded system is a computer system built into a larger mechanical or electrical system, dedicated to a narrow set of functions rather than running as a general-purpose computer. It typically runs with low power consumption, limited memory and processing resources, and a small physical footprint, since it shares its housing and power budget with the device it controls.

Many embedded systems carry real-time computing constraints. A result must be produced not merely correctly but within a bounded time, because the system is driving hardware that cannot wait. Since embedded systems frequently control physical processes where failure has real-world consequences, this pushes embedded software toward predictable, resource-frugal design, and often toward the stricter development practices associated with safety-critical systems