How is Python used in embedded systems?

Embedded system applications are mainly written in low level programming languages like C, Assembly etc.

I have seen scripting languages like perl and python used by embedded developers in following cases:

• Automating build systems:

Perl is heavily used with other continuous integration frameworks for    automating build systems. Perl is mainly used here to copy files around, cleaning up before and after building, picking built artifacts and placing on various machines. Programming devices and starting execution of various tests.
   

• Automating tests:

   Perl and python are heavily used for writing scripts which trigger and test various parameters of IUT (Implementation under test). I had once written a framework which allowed writing scripts in python which will send and receive data over serial port to communicate with device firmware. I would also like to point out that the kind of perl/python used here is nothing like that used by web programmers. These scripts mainly focus on exercising various parameters of systems. And once again here also you will find yourself playing a lot with individual bytes/bits thus, using low level list manipulation.

• Parsing logs and providing results at higher abstractions:

Here you use perl/python to parse log files and come up with very high level logs which somebody not familiar with exact system can read and understand. For example you may run tests for a 'Command Interpreter system' at various baud rates and finally come up with a high level result providing information about Baud rate cutoff over or below which system does not work.

Suggestion: Perl and python are merely used by embedded developers for automating mundane tasks. Do not count on these for getting job as an 'EMBEDDED DEVELOPER'.