Glossary

This is a glossary of terms used in embedded Linux, and links to existing glossary pages:

Topic-specific Glossaries
Here are pages that have list of terms for specific technology areas:
 * Boot-up Time Definition Of Terms - terms related to the Linux boot-up process
 * Power Management Definition Of Terms - Definition of Terms for the CELF Power Management working group
 * Real Time Terms - terms related to systems with real-time performance
 * Security Terms - terms related to Linux security and security frameworks

A

 * Abatron : Abatron is a Swiss company that makes a popular Jtag debugger often used to debug embedded Linux. Their primary products are the 'BDIx000' line of Jtag debuggers.

B

 * BSP : Board Support Package. This is the code that is used to support a particular hardware board.  The term is used generically to refer to code, and not a specific "package", as the name implies.  It generally refers to all special-case software relevant to a particular board, whether it is kernel code, user code, etc.

E

 * Embedded : An "Embedded" device usually means one with fixed functionality, independent of other additional hardware or software attributes. The terms is somewhat vague.  This is as opposed to general-purpose functionality.  Note that mobile phones are considered embedded, although they now support general-purpose programs and functionality.  Classic embedded Linux products include things like digital cameras, routers, television sets, and settop boxes, as well as non-consumer embedded devices like sensors, industrial control devices, and pretty much anything running Linux outside of the desktop and server markets. See the wikipedia entry for Embedded system


 * ELC : Embedded Linux Conference. This is one of the major technical conferences each year for developers of embedded Linux.  See the Events page for references to past events.

J

 * JTAG : Short for "Joint Test Action Group", JTAG refers to a debugging interface used to validate hardware and debug software on an embedded board. See JTAG

K

 * kernel : The Linux kernel is the core software in a Linux system that interfaces with the hardware, manages resources on behalf of processes, and mediates interactions between processes and the hardware, and between processes themselves.