computer Hardware and software which forms a component of
some larger system and which is expected to function without
human intervention.
A typical embedded system consists of a single-board
turned on and will not stop until it is turned off (if ever).
but often it will be simple enough to be written as a single
program. It will not usually have any of the normal
peripherals such as a keyboard, monitor, serial connections,
mass storage, etc. or any kind of user interface software
unless these are required by the overall system of which it is
a part. Often it must provide
real-time response.
(1995-04-12)