I wondering how reliable is Linux as an embedded system when it comes to improper shut down or power failures. Say we want to use something like the Raspberry PI in an application where we expect the user to recycle the power many times during the day. Does this create a problem? and if so what is the best solution without adding an external battery to backup the device.
from what I was able to figure out, it is directly related to the quality of the SD card.
In the tutorial I am using to create my pi based server, I am migrating the boot, except the initial booting table and initial settings, to my hdd, in order to limit the number or R/W to the SD. In any case, a good periodic backup of the SD will also minimize the data loss of a corrupted SD, and you only need to change the SD cards and reboot
In the past I have developed many embedded systems that don't have any OS. With such systems, the reliability is never an issue as long as you take care of your own stuff properly (basically you are in full control, if there is an issue you know it's yours and you know where to look to fix it )
The concern that I have with embedded Linux(according to many articles that I read ) is getting corrupted OS due to improper shutdowns. Many people wrote, that in many cases, the OS fails to complete a write/close for a critical file (could be an OS file) and that's when the problems occur.
I have zero experience with Linux as embedded system, however I do think that it is the way to go to redesign a new generation of hardware devices.
I would like to know what others have experienced doing so before taking on such a task.