Blog

Reflections on Using AI in Software Development

AngelSoto

Context: A Practical Project Over the past days, I have been developing a Python Qt application to generate weekly meal plans for my baby and family.The project itself is not overly complex, but it has provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on so...
- 11 Sep 2025
C++ moving and returning objects part 2: move and copy (embedded friendly C++)

Jan Cumps

In object oriented designs, there are times when you replace an object by another. Example: when you store an object into an STL container. In a lot of those cases, you create an object, and add it. The object in the container is a cop...
- 20 Jul 2025
C++ moving and returning objects part 1: object as return value (embedded friendly C++)

Jan Cumps

You may read guidelines that say: "never use an object as return value of a function. Because of performance reasons". Because the object is copied into the receiving variable when returning from the function call. That was true in C++...
- 19 Jul 2025
C++ 3 way compare

Jan Cumps

task: Let's say that you are writing a C++ class, where the objects have to be sorted or compared. In classic C++, you 'd write an operator overload for <, <=, == , !=, >= and >. In modern C++, you can get all that fun...
- 15 Jul 2025
GCC 15.1 for Windows is available

Jan Cumps

If you're interested to try out the latest C++26 options: The Windows port for GCC 15.1 is available for download.I installed GCC 15.1.0 (with POSIX threads) + MinGW-w64 13.0.0 UCRT - release 2. To install, download the zip file, ...
- 30 Jun 2025
C++ friend functions

Jan Cumps

For an embedded design, I made a featherweight class. A C++ construct that used no more data or code size than a traditional C design. class command { public: inline command(uint32_t steps, bool reverse) : cmd_(steps << 1 |...
- 18 May 2025
New CMake library link option $<COMPILE_ONLY:LIB>

Jan Cumps

CMake has an easy way to get access to libraries headers and source: target_link_libraries(your_lib, some_lib). Where your_lib is the library you are developing, and some_lib is a library you depend on. Ideal if you are using a library, and...
- 19 Apr 2025
embedded C++: manage a resource with a tiny* object

Jan Cumps

*tiny like in: 0 bits of data, 0 code instructions added, 0 clock ticks scenario: you have a resource that needs to be initialised before use, and deactivated when done. We usually do that by calling some code before the actions, and some code after ...
- 5 Apr 2025
embedded C++: add cheap bitwise conversion to a register structure

Jan Cumps

This blog is based on real world work. I'm controlling a TI DRV8711 stepper motor controller via SPI. I need to modify 16-bit registers of that IC. TI provided a header file with register definitions, and code to convert that struct to a 16 bit ...
- 30 Mar 2025
modern C++: restrict templated types with concept

Jan Cumps

In C++, templates allow you to write generic code, that can handle many types. But almost always, there will be types you can't handle. In my case, I have a callback manager that supports functions that return a void, a number, a bool or a class...
- 10 Mar 2025
C++ classes and operators

Jan Cumps

This is a "classic C++" post, something that's been part of the language since conception: How to use an operator in your class design. I developed a callback class. Your "gizmo that needs to callback something" would hold an instance of that class (...
- 9 Mar 2025
let CMake fetch your build dependencies

Jan Cumps

When you work on a project, you often rely on external libraries and source code. If you use CMake as your build tool: it can download the artifacts for you. And make them available during build. By using FetchContent. use case: your pro...
- 9 Mar 2025
modern C++: write my own function that returns true / false, and a value or error message

Jan Cumps

I'm experimenting with new C++ constructs. GCC 15 implements an interesting concept of the C++26 standard: A function can return a status, and either a value or an error message. In a previous post I tested one of C++ standard function...
- 1 Mar 2025
modern C++: function returns true / false, and a value or error message

Jan Cumps

I'm experimenting with new C++ constructs. GCC 15 implements an interesting concept of the C++26 standard: A function can return a status, and either a value or an error message.Example is the standard std::to_chars() function. It...
- 1 Mar 2025
built gcc 15 daily release from source

Jan Cumps

The latest GCC version is 14.2.1. I want to try out new GCC 15 features. I followed these instructions to build the toolchain from source: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1513160/how-to-install-gcc-14-on-ubuntu-22-04-and-24-04. They transla...
- 1 Mar 2025
modern C++ modules: convert existing example from .h to module

Jan Cumps

I'm experimenting with new C++ constructs. In C++ callbacks and templates , I developed a generic object oriented callback handler using templates.In modern C++ modules I tried out an example that uses C++ modules...
- 8 Feb 2025
modern C++ modules

Jan Cumps

Since C++20, a new feature is available: modules. We're all used to C++ header and source files. And we all know their pros and cons. Because I'm reviewing a new C++ alternative for them, I'll focus on the cons of header files: header file...
- 2 Dec 2024
sensible C++ coding convention - µOS naming standard

Jan Cumps

When writing reusable code, I like to be consistent and use standards. For C++, there are many flavours out there. I've been looking around for guidance on writing modern C++ code, with templates. That's when I bumped into the µOS naming s...
- 1 Sep 2024
C++ and STL : write code that is not dependent on the container type

Jan Cumps

The C++ Standard Template Library has a decent set of containers. std::array, std::vector, std::list, ... When you write a software function, it can be useful to handle whatever container the user wishes to use. In my little print function here...
- 12 Aug 2024
GitHub Actions: my automated flow for Pico GPS project with Teseo (validate, deploy, publish docs)

Jan Cumps

I wrote a series of articles about GitHub Actions. To: validate that no one submits code that breaks the build automate nightly deploy and update online documentation The flow below shows the current setup. Read it down to up, to understand wh...
- 5 Aug 2024
CMake and Raspberry Pico: generate multiple firmware binaries for the same code base

Jan Cumps

I have a Raspberry Pico GPS library project. It comes with several examples. And each example can communicate to the GPS over I2C or UART. Initially, it was a single-example project. I used a definition in the CMake config, that allow...
- 5 Aug 2024
GitHub: automate Raspberry Pico project (nightly) release GitHub Actions

Jan Cumps

In GitHub: automate Raspberry Pico project build verification with GitHub Actions , I made GitHub build a project. I'm using an Action to check out branches and build them, upon a GitHub event. In this post, I crea...
- 5 Aug 2024
GitHub: automate Raspberry Pico project build verification with GitHub Actions

Jan Cumps

You can Make GitHub build your project. I'm using an Action to check out branches and build them, when a pull request is submitted. I adapted an existing flow from the Raspberry organisation. Here's what it does check out the branch that's the ...
- 15 Jul 2024
GitHub: automate project documentation with DoxyGen, and publish online after pushing commits

Jan Cumps

The title says it all. You can generate project documentation from the comments in the source files. I'm using doxygen for that. What I tried today (and succeeded in), is to make a GitHub action that: kicks off a process on one of its...
- 15 Jul 2024
Good Quality ASCII Table with no Adverts or Malware!

shabaz

This web page simply contains the ASCII table in a few formats. Mobile View Printable Version (Monochrome) To print, click here to open the monochrome ASCII table in a web browser window, then print in Landscape format. I have tested ...
- 8 Jul 2024