How embedded system is different from general purpose computer?
Answers
Technically both are computers by definition, they have processors, RAM, ROM, and other various peripherals, but :
Embedded System, as it appears from its name, is a part of a bigger system, a computer restricted to one function (or a finite set of functions) that controls, monitors or integrate with larger systems like automotive, robotics, home appliances and military applications.
They have very tight constraints regarding size, performance, memory, price and durability, also an embedded system is required in most cases to respond in real time, you don’t want your brakes to work after pressing the pedal by a couple of seconds tho..
General Computer System is a computer that is built to be customizable in software, like desktop PCs and laptops, you can make it do many thing, sometimes together, with low or no constraints on power, performance or cost, also a general computing system is contained in itself, it’s not a part of a larger system.. it is the system itself.