Markus Heiling
Mentor Graphics

This document discusses runtime checks for C applications with special regard to the requirements of embedded systems development.

Runtime checks are features provided by a C/C++ compiler and/or a C-Runtime Library to help the developer track down problems at the source code line level. Runtime checks are performed when the program is executed. Runtime checks should not be confused with static checks or analysis, which is performed at compilation time. The checks and analysis performed by a C/C++ compiler are a valid help in development, but they are not capable of solving the more complex, hidden problems which can be easily introduced during an application's implementation and coding phase.