# 211: 4 weeks, 3 days (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-01-31
- Length: 1h 19m
- Episode: 211
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat

## Summary

Dennis Jackson, Director of Firmware at Element Science, discusses the career path from software to embedded systems, emphasizing that practical projects and understanding core software principles are more valuable than specific hardware knowledge for entry-level roles. He advises aspiring engineers to start with cheap development boards like STM32 Discovery boards to write simple drivers, rather than relying on high-level abstractions like Arduino. Jackson also stresses the importance of adopting professional software engineering practices, such as command-line builds with Make, continuous integration, and unit testing, to ensure code quality and reliability in production environments.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=7) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [5:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=302) Getting Started with Embedded Hardware
- [10:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=615) Writing Drivers and Debugging Basics
- [21:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=1303) Evaluating Candidates and Projects
- [32:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=1952) Firmware vs. Software and Code Quality
- [46:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=2763) Recommended Reading and Tools
- [55:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=3318) Continuous Integration and Build Systems
- [1:02:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat#t=3762) Improving Team Processes and Culture

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Element Science (company)
- Airware (company)
- STM32 Discovery Board (product)
- Arduino (product)
- Jenkins (tool)
- Make (tool)
- Lint (tool)
- Test Driven Development in Embedded C (product)
- Making Embedded Systems (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Christmas Special](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-12-22-christmas-special) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [How to Get Started](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-02-02-how-to-get-started) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Embedded Linux with Jay Carlson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-11-02-embedded-linux-with-jay-carlson) (The Amp Hour)
- [Development is Better when it's Test-Driven](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-02-16-development-is-better-when-its-test-driven) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Why isn't this working?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-02-14-why-isnt-this-working) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.