Real time is often classified into three types, as follows:
- Hard real-time systems are defined as those that must always meet all deadlines. Failure to meet a deadline even once results in the catastrophic failure of the system, including possible loss to human life, financial loss, and so on. A hard real time system requires a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) to drive it. (Also, it's really important that the applications are written to be hard real time as well!). Possible hard real-time domains include human transportation vehicles of many types (aircraft, marine vessels, spacecraft, trains, and elevators) and some kinds of military grade or defense equipment, nuclear reactors, medical electronics, and stock exchanges. ...
