Choosing a programming language for an Internet of Things (IoT) project can be considered just as important as selecting a hardware platform.

Development projects Internet of Things (IoT) IoT is emerging in many technology companies worldwide. Currently, only about 300,000 programmers are involved in IoT, but by 2020, the world will need 4.5 million programmers. Therefore, choosing the right programming language for future development is a crucial direction for technology companies if they want to succeed. IoT trends.

Current hardware platforms allow for easy design of embedded systems with various applications. IoT system. Not long ago, the choice of programming language was determined by the hardware platform. Many modern platforms are based on open-source standards and support multiple languages, allowing for greater flexibility in interaction. So what factors determine which programming language to use in an IoT project? In some cases, the choice is still limited by the hardware platform; however, for the most part, it is based primarily on the development team's proficiency in the language.

Eleven languages have emerged as popular choices for programming embedded systems. These range from systems-wide development languages like C++ or Java to application-specific programming languages like Go and Parasail. Each language has its own advantages and disadvantages, but professionals can consider which option best suits their IoT project.

C language

The programming language originally designed for telephone switching programs would be a logical choice for developing embedded systems. C is almost a universal programming language that nearly everyone knows. It's readily available on most advanced embedded systems platforms currently on the market. For some platforms that don't directly support it, it remains a specialized language used in software development kits (SDKs).

In the current context, the C language also has some drawbacks as it is more procedural than object-oriented. It is also not designed for graphical user interfaces and is used for compilation rather than interpretation. However, it remains a strong candidate for any company striving to develop IoT.

C++ language

C++ retains the methods and structure of C but adds the ability to abstract data, objects, and classes. All these features make C++ a preferred choice for those writing embedded applications and IoT programs for Linux systems. This programming language remains popular even after more than 30 years.

Java

C and C++ are designed to allow programmers to directly control devices through applications; however, this requires object-specific code. This approach is not suitable for the handheld devices in today's mobile landscape.

Previously, Java ran slower than languages that compiled directly into machine code like C and C++, but thanks to "just-in-time compilation" technology, this gap has narrowed, and in some special cases Java can run faster. This also makes Java less dependent on hardware integration with the compiler. For specific settings and better control over each hardware object, Java relies on the libraries supported by those types of devices.

All of this makes Java excellent from an economic standpoint for developers and technology companies alike. Investing in Java code allows for its reusability across multiple platforms. Furthermore, Java is widely used as one of the primary programming languages taught, making it relatively easy to find a programming expert with Java skills. The only difficulty with this language is ensuring that the chosen hardware platform supports Java (in fact, very few powerful platforms today don't support Java) and that hardware-supporting libraries are available to create the necessary control functions for the device.

JavaScript

JavaScript is recognized for its accessible syntax, lack of strict error handling, and its provision of fundamental programming concepts. Java and JavaScript share some libraries and have similar syntax to C, yet they are developed separately.

As the name suggests, JavaScript is an object-based scripting language developed from prototype concepts and widely used for building web-fronted applications. For example, if you want to use the Apache web server on a Raspberry Pi to collect data from a sensor system based on microprocessors, JavaScript is an easy starting point.

Since its appearance at Netscape, JavaScript has evolved and perfected its features. From its widespread use in web pages to creating scripts using built-in objects within applications, no one can deny the power and popularity of JavaScript. However, the problems surrounding it, such as its unsightly appearance, complex presentation, and peculiar language, have made it difficult for developers.

Python

A programming language designed during the holidays and named after a famous comedy troupe seems like a strong contender for programmers requiring simplicity. Furthermore, Python can be extended for use in heavy industry or for data analysis in the financial sector. Its application in embedded IoT controls demonstrates its versatility. Python is an interpreted programming language, thus saving development time because it doesn't require compilation and linking.

Another notable advantage is that Python has a strict syntax very similar to English grammar, and its specifications are designed to be readable, compact, and clear. Anyone who has ever struggled with debugging in C will appreciate what Python offers.

Python is also powerful enough for applications in embedded platforms. For any application requiring the ability to access large amounts of data, Python is a very promising candidate. Thanks to its use on websites like Pinterest and Instagram, the Python programming language is also becoming increasingly popular.

Go language

The Go programming language was developed at Google and is available on a range of processors and platforms. It's derived from C but designed to overcome previous limitations in harnessing the power of multi-core processors and next-generation hardware. Instead of relying on the operating system, software can now interact directly with the multi-core platform via Go, resulting in faster processing.

Google's goal is to create a more efficient coding language, and some of Go's new features highlight this, such as faster compilation, reduced resource usage, a lightweight structure, and support for parallel execution. With its clear hashing capabilities, Go can be very useful for collecting data and sending it to sensors with independent operating mechanisms. The ability to support the shared use of a network of sensors and devices is a key aspect of the Go programming language, but this also presents several potential security and operational risks.

Go supports simultaneous data collection, output, and processing across multiple channels. This requires precise coordination between the sensor components within the same system. This also means the system can malfunction if there is a lack of synchronization in programming.

Rust language

The open-source programming language Rust, developed by Mozilla, has rapidly gained popularity among programmers. Rust shares many qualities with Go but addresses Go's biggest problem: Go's inability to automatically share information between different data structure "channels," leading to potentially uncontrolled operations. Rust compensates by eliminating the barriers between data layers, making it less risky in embedded systems.

ParaSail

If you need to understand the concept of concurrency, Go and Rust are the right choices, but if IoT projects require parallel processing within the application, Parasail is a programming language worth considering.

ParaSail is an object-oriented language with compile-oriented capabilities and syntax similar to Java, Python, C #, or even Ada—a programming language originating from the US Department of Defense. In an IoT project, while Ada might be considered the optimal solution for embedded applications, it focuses primarily on large systems and its popularity is limited to 5% within the programming community. ParaSail offers similar functionality but focuses specifically on embedded code requiring parallel operation capabilities.

Language B#

Many languages designed for large systems have been scaled down to fit an embedded platform, and B# is designed for such purposes. The Embedded Virtual Machine (EVM) allows B# to run on multiple platforms using only 24k of memory—significantly less than other programming languages. Structurally, B# appears similar to C# but omits features unnecessary for embedded applications and adds crucial real-time control functionality. If your embedded IoT project isn't too large or complex, B# is a language worth considering.

Assembly

Assembly language is favored by microcontroller programming experts. Essentially, assembly language hides the relationship between the programming language and the device architecture. Each assembly language is specifically designed for a different computer architecture; in addition, the code is compact, uses little memory, and operates at high speed.

However, Assembly language lacks features to mitigate programming risks. Although many compilers now convert high-level languages into assembly for debugging and optimization, it is difficult to reverse engineer them back into high-level code. Assembly was widely used in the past, but its scope of use is now quite narrow, mainly for direct hardware manipulation or infrequent tasks. This also opens opportunities for IoT projects due to its application in low-level controllers, embedded systems, or real-time systems.

Forth

Forth is a language designed and optimized for embedded systems programming. It is less commonly used for system-level programming; however, one aspect that Forth needs to address is the acceptance of user-defined commands, meaning that code from one FORTH programmer may not be understood by another.

Forth is a stack-oriented language that became popular around the 1970s but is not as common as other programming systems today. However, if you're starting a new embedded project, this language can make a difference. It's portable, memory-efficient, has short development times, and is fast to execute.

(Source: Techtalk.vn)