Edge Programming with C++ and Rust

By deploying code at the edge of a network rather than at the core, we can work more closely with the sources of real-world data. This enables applications to operate at higher speed and scale than traditional cloud-centred approaches, while also reducing latency and bandwidth demands.

In this module, students will explore programming techniques that are fundamental to building efficient and reliable edge systems using both C/C++ and Rust. C++ provides a strong foundation in object-oriented and generic programming, enabling the development of modular, reusable, and maintainable code. Rust introduces modern paradigms such as ownership, borrowing, and lifetimes, which ensure memory safety and concurrency without sacrificing performance. It also supports trait-based polymorphism, functional constructs, and systems-level programming, making it a powerful complement to C++.

Through a combination of assignments and practical projects, students will gain hands-on experience with edge and embedded platforms. They will design and implement applications that involve low-level device interaction, concurrent processing, GUI development and communication protocols such as TCP sockets.

By integrating design concepts with real-world projects, students will develop the ability to create robust, high-performance applications at the edge. The combination of C/C++ and Rust provides them with a diverse set of programming tools that are highly valued in modern engineering workplaces, where reliability, efficiency, and scalability are essential.

Upon successful completion of this micro-credential students will be able to:

• Analyse unseen real-world software systems challenges and develop structured solutions, involving the design of object-oriented classes and class hierarchies using formal object-oriented analysis and design models.
• Implement such solutions in the C++ and Java programming languages with attention to future design needs and robust operation.
• Design solutions that abstract data types through the use of approaches such as STL and generics.
• Explain the differences between and uses of different object-oriented languages; choose a correct implementation language for the engineering problem.
• Discuss methodologies for applying object-oriented concepts to develop solutions for real-world software implementation challenges; choose the correct methodology for a given problem.
• Design a software application for test and reliability.
• Develop threaded network applications from first principles that use object-oriented concepts to communicate packaged data over TCP/IP; Solve the synchronization issues associated with network computing and design network computing frameworks and solutions.
• Discuss the use of embedded Linux under embedded systems devices and build high-level program code on an embedded Linux device; interface physical sensors/devices to the embedded Linux device, wrapping low-level electronics with high-level program code.

A Primary Honours degree, Level 8 in Electronic/Electrical/Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Sciences or other Cognate/Engineering Disciplines. Applications are also invited from diverse educational and/or employment backgrounds, with applications evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

And also to indicate the required documentation:

• Please provide Academic Transcripts for final year of study where appropriate (English translation)
• All applicants must submit a copy of their passport

There is no availability for a deferred entry onto a micro-credential.

If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see here.

For further information regarding the HCI learner subsidy eligibility criteria please click here. (https://hea.ie/skills-engagement/hci-pillar-3-micro-credentials-learner-fee-subsidy/).