Overview
The SEGGER Toolchain is a highly optimized, professional toolset for developing embedded systems. It comprises the SEGGER Compiler, Linker, and Runtime Library, which harmonize with one another to ensure swift builds and optimized code performance. Code generated with the SEGGER Toolchain has only a minimal footprint, which is particularly advantageous for resource-constrained embedded systems.
In software development, a toolchain is crucial — especially for embedded systems. A compiler translates source code into machine code, a linker combines different code modules into a single executable, and a runtime library provides all of the low-level functions and building blocks for applications. A well-integrated toolchain reduces errors, simplifies debugging, and enhances performance. In other words: It is a key asset for building reliable, high-quality applications that can run in resource-constrained environments.
Key features
Highest speeds, smallest code
With the SEGGER Toolchain, code generation is powered by the same tools SEGGER uses for its own development and build processes. This ensures optimal performance and minimal code size. The SEGGER Compiler produces compact, high-speed code, and the SEGGER Runtime Library provides architecture-specific C/C++ functions optimized for each target. Additionally, the SEGGER Linker employs advanced techniques to further reduce firmware size to create the smallest possible image.
Easy to use
Every tool in the SEGGER Toolchain is easy to use. The SEGGER Compiler's front end has a familiar interface. For the SEGGER Linker, the linker file's required settings were reduced to just a few lines, making it easy to set memory assignments and benefit from an outstanding reduction in code size.
Flexible integration
The SEGGER Toolchain is easy to integrate with build systems used to create firmware for embedded systems. All tools in the SEGGER Toolchain provide a command-line interface that can be directly addressed by any build system.
Use cases
VS Code and other editors
With the advent of VS Code, many developers are rethinking their tool sets. Toolchains commonly used to develop embedded firmware with VS Code have room for improvement — particularly in terms of executable code size and speed. The SEGGER Toolchain, on the other hand, excels in all of these metrics and allows developers to reap the benefits.
Automated build systems
Modern build systems and build methods (such as CI/CD) increasingly rely on automation. Toolchains therefore require a capable interface for addressing settings and starting up processes. The SEGGER Toolchain is equipped with a straightforward and easy to use command-line interface that is perfectly suited for integration with all build systems.
How the SEGGER Toolchain works
CMake and VS Code
Modern embedded-development projects are often designed around developer flexibility. Instead of dedicated setups for one "traditional" IDE, developers can choose their preferred code editors and tools and then bundle them with a (meta) build system. A common approach is to use VS Code to manage and edit source code, and employ CMake to configure a project's build aspects. CMake also leverages Ninja to orchestrate the actual build and manage application build dependencies, taking full advantage of Ninja's parallelization function. VS Code provides extensions that add additional capabilities, including the use of CMake in the UI.
The SEGGER Toolchain is perfectly suited for such projects. Why? Because it integrates with CMake, so that projects can be built with VS Code. Existing CMake projects that use GCC or other toolchains port to the SEGGER Toolchain with minimal effort. New projects are easy to create and configure for the SEGGER Toolchain, and all needed files are available and included.
A tutorial on using the SEGGER Toolchain with CMake and VS Code, along with guides and examples for setting up new projects, are available here.
Support
The SEGGER Toolchain is a professional tool set that is backed by a highly skilled support team that includes the developers of the tools themselves. Timely, helpful, and precise responses are guaranteed.
When purchased as part of Embedded Studio, the SEGGER Toolchain includes one year (12 months) of basic support. Extended-support packages are also available.
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