Code Generation

Code generation is the automated creation of source code. In the context of functional safety, it refers to the process where specialized software tools automatically produce code from high-level models or specifications. This process is a key enabler in the development of safety-critical software, as it aims to reduce human error, increase efficiency, and maintain consistency. The goal is the transformation of higher-level abstractions into concrete, executable implementations.

Code generation tools vary widely depending on the complexity and domain of the software being developed. In the automotive industry, where functional safety is paramount, you'll often find tools that generate C code directly from modeling environments like Matlab/Simulink or ASCET. These tools automate the translation of graphical models, which represent complex system behaviors, into the actual code that runs on the vehicle's electronic control units (ECUs). Other examples might include tools that generate configuration files, database schemas, or even entire user interfaces from a higher-level description.

The output of a code generation tool directly becomes part of the final product, meaning any error introduced by the tool can have direct safety implications. For instance, if a code generator misinterprets a model and produces incorrect code for an airbag deployment system, the consequences could be catastrophic. Because of their influence, software tools are subject to a systematic evaluation process defined in ISO 26262, Part 8, Clause 11. If these errors go undetected, they may propagate into the safety-critical system and cause unsafe behavior, which is why tools must meet ISO 26262’s rigorous error-detection and prevention requirements. This standard mandates that such tools be thoroughly assessed to ensure their reliability and accuracy, classifying them based on their potential to introduce errors and determining the required confidence level in their outputs.

No, by definition the software tool itself is not part of the final embedded product in ISO 26262 development. Software tools are used during the development process, for coding, testing, analysis, or generating artifacts, but the tool’s executable does not run on the final target hardware. However, some tools (like compilers or code generators) produce outputs such as binaries or source code that end up in in the final product or are integrated into the final product. In such cases, these development tools require higher levels of confidence and possibly qualification, because their outputs directly influence safety. This distinction is crucial. While the tool does not reside in the car, its direct output does. Consequently, the influence of the code generation tool must be rigorously evaluated within the ISO 26262 safety lifecycle.