Re: [ECOS] Has anybody compared ecos with embedded linux?

[Jonathan Larmour <jifl at eCosCentric dot com>]

Qiang Huang wrote:
> Hi all:
> 
>    Has anybody compared ecos with embedded linux? Such as the (kerne)l size,
> minimum hardware requirement (e.g. processor architecture) and maybe
> performance. How is the result? also the reason for choicing one over the
> other.

Well, embedded Linux can take megabytes of ROM and RAM, whereas an
absolutely minimal eCos can squeeze into less than a Kb. Wouldn't do much
admittedly :-).

If you work at a Linux kernel to strip it down you can get it down to
something like 600K text and about the same for RAM, and *then* you have
to add your application's ROM and RAM requirements. And since you can't
execute in place with Linux, whatever ROM/Flash space is used has to be
added to the RAM.

uClinux is different though and can fit into 1Mb, but even that's a pretty
bare configuration.

eCos is capable of far far lower overheads, can be completely tailored for
the requirements of your application, and makes more efficient use of
hardware.

Linux has many advantages over eCos as well of course, such as wider
drvier availability, wider testing, bigger user base, and easier use of
off the shelf programs; but it's all at a price.

Jifl
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