vTaskDelete() for task removal in FreeRTOS - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Using vTaskDelete() to Remove Tasks in FreeRTOS

📖 Scenario: You are working on a FreeRTOS-based embedded system where multiple tasks run concurrently. Sometimes, you need to stop a task that is no longer needed to free system resources.

🎯 Goal: Learn how to create a task, then remove it safely using vTaskDelete().

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a task function that toggles an LED

Create the task using xTaskCreate()

Use vTaskDelete() to remove the task

Print messages to show task creation and deletion

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

In embedded systems, tasks that are no longer needed should be removed to save memory and CPU time. Using <code>vTaskDelete()</code> helps manage system resources efficiently.

💼 Career

Understanding task creation and deletion is essential for embedded software developers working with FreeRTOS or similar real-time operating systems.

1

Create a task function called vLEDTask

Write a task function called vLEDTask that takes a void *pvParameters parameter and contains an infinite loop with a comment // Toggle LED here inside the loop.

FreeRTOS

# Create the task function vLEDTask with void *pvParameters
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Task functions in FreeRTOS have the form void TaskName(void *pvParameters) and usually run an infinite loop.

2

Create the task using xTaskCreate()

Use xTaskCreate() to create the task vLEDTask with the name "LED Task", stack size configMINIMAL_STACK_SIZE, no parameters (NULL), priority 1, and store the task handle in a variable called xLEDTaskHandle.

FreeRTOS

void vLEDTask(void *pvParameters) {
    for(;;) {
        // Toggle LED here
    }
}

// Create the LED task and store handle in xLEDTaskHandle
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Remember to pass the address of the task handle variable to xTaskCreate() to store the created task's handle.

3

Delete the task using vTaskDelete()

Use vTaskDelete() to delete the task using the handle stored in xLEDTaskHandle.

FreeRTOS

void vLEDTask(void *pvParameters) {
    for(;;) {
        // Toggle LED here
    }
}

TaskHandle_t xLEDTaskHandle = NULL;
xTaskCreate(vLEDTask, "LED Task", configMINIMAL_STACK_SIZE, NULL, 1, &xLEDTaskHandle);

// Delete the LED task using vTaskDelete
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Pass the task handle to vTaskDelete() to remove the task.

4

Print messages to show task creation and deletion

Add printf() statements to print "Task created" after creating the task and "Task deleted" after deleting the task.

FreeRTOS

void vLEDTask(void *pvParameters) {
    for(;;) {
        // Toggle LED here
    }
}

TaskHandle_t xLEDTaskHandle = NULL;
xTaskCreate(vLEDTask, "LED Task", configMINIMAL_STACK_SIZE, NULL, 1, &xLEDTaskHandle);
// Print task creation message
vTaskDelete(xLEDTaskHandle);
// Print task deletion message
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use printf() before and after the task creation and deletion calls to show messages.