All embedded developers learn one universal truth: every embedded system is different. This diversity has a significant effect upon choosing the right software, which must accommodate an extremely wide range of requirements. In essence, one size does not fit all. In this technical session, we will examine the challenges entailed in developing a real-time embedded application, and take a look at Linux, Windows, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded operating systems. You will learn how to respond to the diverse range of embedded systems requirements and select the platform that optimizes the performance and utility of the embedded system.