Description #
VXLANG is a compiled systems programming language used primarily within the VxWorks real-time operating system (RTOS). It is optimized for embedded systems that require deterministic performance, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial applications.
History #
VXLANG isn’t a standalone general-purpose language like C or Rust but refers to the compiled programming environment and dialects used within VxWorks, Wind River’s flagship RTOS introduced in the 1980s. Developers typically write in C or C++ but use proprietary APIs and language extensions for real-time multitasking, memory safety, and hardware control.
Hello World Code #
#include <stdio.h>
void vx_main() {
printf("Hello, World!\n");
}Note: This is standard C, compiled and executed within the VxWorks RTOS environment using Wind River Workbench.
How to Run #
Option 1: Online
❌ No online compilers — requires VxWorks RTOS
Option 2: Local
- Requires licensed access to Wind River VxWorks
- Use Wind River Workbench IDE
- Cross-compile the C/C++ code for target hardware (e.g., ARM, PowerPC) and deploy to a VxWorks device or simulator
Key Concepts #
- Syntax style: C/C++ with RTOS-specific extensions
- Typing discipline: Strong, static (via C/C++)
- Execution model: Compiled and deployed for real-time execution
- Common use cases: Avionics, satellites, medical devices, autonomous systems
- Toolchain or ecosystem: Wind River Workbench, Tornado IDE, vxdbg debugger
- Paradigms supported: Real-time, procedural, event-driven
- Compilation details: Cross-compiled for deterministic embedded execution
- Strengths or quirks: Microsecond-level determinism, multitasking, interrupt handling
- Libraries/frameworks: VxWorks POSIX layer, semaphores, message queues, timers
- Community/adoption: High in aerospace and defense sectors; proprietary and commercial
Try It Online #
❌ Not available — requires a licensed RTOS runtime and toolchain
Fun Facts #
VxWorks powered NASA’s Mars rovers (including Spirit, Opportunity, and Perseverance), and it runs on spacecraft, jet fighters, and surgical robots. Its language environment blends C/C++ with ultra-specialized RTOS APIs that give developers low-level control over hardware and timing.
