What is bare metal programming?

Bare metal programming refers to writing software that runs directly on hardware without the support of an operating system or intermediary layers. Programmers interact directly with the memory, processor, and peripherals, usually in languages like C or assembly. This approach is common in embedded systems, microcontrollers, and real-time applications where performance, low-level control, and minimal resource usage are critical. Bare metal programming requires a deep understanding of hardware architecture and is essential for building efficient, lightweight, and deterministic systems.