Best Embedded Software Development Tools for Linux

A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose. Use Goto Anything to open files with only a few keystrokes, and instantly jump to symbols, lines or words. Make ten changes at the same time, not one change ten times. Multiple selections allow you to interactively change many lines at once, rename variables with ease, and manipulate files faster than ever. The Command Palette holds infrequently used functionality, like sorting, changing the syntax and changing the indentation settings. With just a few keystrokes, you can search for what you want, without ever having to navigate through the menus or remember obscure key bindings. Sublime Text has a powerful, Python API that allows plugins to augment built-in functionality. Package Control can be installed via the command palette, providing simple access to thousands of packages built by the community.

Apache NetBeans is a versatile, open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used for developing applications across a wide range of programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, PHP, HTML5, and C/C++. Known for its modular architecture, NetBeans provides robust tools and features that cater to the needs of developers working on desktop, mobile, and web applications. It includes intelligent code editing, debugging, and profiling capabilities, along with a built-in visual GUI builder for designing Java-based user interfaces. NetBeans also offers support for version control systems like Git, SVN, and Mercurial, facilitating seamless team collaboration. As an Apache Software Foundation project, NetBeans benefits from an active community that continuously improves and expands its functionality, making it a reliable and flexible choice for developers across various domains.

Microsoft Visual Studio is the industry-leading integrated development environment (IDE) for building modern applications across desktop, mobile, cloud, and web. It empowers developers to write, refactor, debug, test, and deploy software faster with intelligent assistance powered by GitHub Copilot and AI-driven workflows. With Agent Mode, developers can automate repetitive coding tasks, optimize performance, and receive contextual help directly in the IDE. The suite includes Visual Studio 2022, the comprehensive IDE for .NET and C++ development on Windows, and Visual Studio Code, the lightweight, cross-platform editor supporting JavaScript, Python, and dozens of other languages. Visual Studio integrates seamlessly with Azure, GitHub, and CI/CD pipelines, enabling teams to collaborate and ship code efficiently. Trusted by millions worldwide, Visual Studio provides the tools and intelligence developers need to build reliable, scalable, and secure applications from concept to release.

Storyboard is an embedded GUI development framework that accelerates the design and delivery of modern UX for tomorrow’s IoT and wearable devices. With its Rapid Design Import and Iteration Technology, embedded developers around the world are able to create products that offer unmatched GUI experiences (graphics, voice, and audio), uniquely optimized for all operating systems and platforms, including resource-constrained MCU and MPU platforms. Storyboard aligns embedded developers with the iterative change processes of designers — using popular tools like Sketch and Photoshop — helping manufacturers achieve high-quality UX without sacrificing performance or development time. With only a few mouse clicks, developers use Storyboard to visualize changed assets and rapidly assess, accept, or reject elements in a timesaving manner. This accelerated workflow allows teams to refine their products at any stage in their development cycle.

Qt Creator's advanced code editor lets you code in C++, QML, JavaScript, Python and other languages. It features code completion, syntax highlighting, refactoring and has built-in documentation at your fingertips. Qt Creator integrates with most popular version control systems, including Git, subversion, perforce, and mercurial. Integrated visual editors for building C++ widget-based applications or fluid Qt Quick-based animated UIs with ready-made controls. Import an existing project or create one from scratch – Qt Creator generates all the necessary files. Support for Cmake and cross-compiling with qmake is included. Build for and run your software on desktop, mobile and embedded operating systems. The build settings allow you to easily switch between targets. Test and debug applications in conditions practically identical to those on your target device.

The CCS C Compiler for 8-bit and 16-bit Microchip PIC® MCUs offers pro-level optimization and includes an extensive library of built-in functions, pre-processor commands, and ready-to-run example programs to quickly jump-start any project. CCS compilers are easy to use and quick to learn. It frees developers to concentrate on design functionality instead of having to become an MCU architecture expert. All CCS compilers integrate seamlessly with the CCS IDE and are compatible with third-party tools such as Microchip MPLAB® and MPLAB® X. PIC® MCU and MPLAB® IDE are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.

P4 (formerly Helix Core) is an enterprise-grade version control system designed to manage the complexities of modern software development. It allows teams to store, track, and manage all digital assets—ranging from source code to 3D models—with unprecedented scalability. P4 is ideal for large, distributed teams working on large-scale projects, offering powerful collaboration tools, seamless integrations, and advanced branching capabilities. With strong support for both centralized and distributed workflows, P4 enhances productivity and efficiency, making it a top choice for software, game, and hardware development teams.

Who wouldn’t like to code at the speed of thought while the IDE does all the mundane development tasks for them? But is that really possible for a tricky language like C++, what with its modern standards and heavily templated libraries? Why, yes, yes it is! See it to believe it. Generate tons of boilerplate code instantly. Override and implement functions with simple shortcuts. Generate constructors and destructors, getters and setters, and equality, relational, and stream output operators. Wrap a block of code with a statement, or generate a declaration from a usage. Create custom live templates to reuse typical code blocks across your code base to save time and maintain a consistent style. Rename symbols; inline a function, variable, or macro; move members through the hierarchy; change function signatures; and extract functions, variables, parameters, or a typedef.

Complete development environment for Arm, generating fast, compact code and enabling you to take full control of your code. One Integrated Development Environment with project management tools and editor. Included is 8,400 example projects containing configuration files, code examples and project templates, giving every project a quick start. The IAR C/C++ Compiler is built by our compiler experts and supports C and C++. It offers advanced global and target-specific optimizations, and supports a wide range of industry-standard debug and image formats, compatible with most popular debuggers and emulators, including ELF/DWARF where applicable. Coupled with the complete linker and assembler, it enables powerful building of embedded applications. Support for all 32-bit Arm core from all major vendors and selected 64-bit Arm cores. Our tools are available in a flexible license model to suit your company needs.

NVIDIA's Jetson platform is a leading solution for embedded AI computing, utilized by professional developers to create breakthrough AI products across various industries, as well as by students and enthusiasts for hands-on AI learning and innovative projects. The platform comprises small, power-efficient production modules and developer kits, offering a comprehensive AI software stack for high-performance acceleration. This enables the deployment of generative AI at the edge, supporting applications like NVIDIA Metropolis and the Isaac platform. The Jetson family includes a range of modules tailored to different performance and power efficiency needs, such as the Jetson Nano, Jetson TX2, Jetson Xavier NX, and the Jetson Orin series. Each module is designed to meet specific AI computing requirements, from entry-level projects to advanced robotics and industrial applications.