Why are C, C++, and LISP so prevalent in embedded devices and robots?

Question

It seems that the software language skills most sought for embedded devices and robots are C, C++, and LISP. Why haven\'t more recent languages made inroads into these applicat

Answer 1

In 20 years in embedded systems (including 8 years on a commercial robotics project), I have never seen Lisp used anywhere and would not regard it as 'prevalent'. I seen far more Ada for example. I would say that it is a niche, but if you happen to be working in that niche, it might look prevalent to you.

C and C++ are used because they are systems level capable languages that require minimal run-time support. For example they can run without an OS - and indeed commonly used to implement Operating Systems.

When a new processor architecture or device is developed, C and C++ are typically the first 'high-level' language tools available for the platform (and often remain the only ones available) - usually from day one, and increasingly often GNU GCC based. Availability of other languages is patchy or non-existant. C and C++ skills are the ones pretty much guaranteed to be reusable across projects and architectures.