Portable code: reducing the cost of obsolesence in embedded systems

Embedded computer systems often remain in service long after part or all of the hardware has become obsolete, due to the high cost of replacement. This cost occurs as often software has to be rewritten for the new hardware. Portable code allows compiled software to be executed on any platform without change. This enables hardware to be replaced when it is obsolete, but software to be moved to the new hardware unchanged-so reducing the cost of obsolesence.