What is a key characteristic of hard real-time systems?

A key characteristic of hard real-time systems is the presence of strict deadlines that must be met. In these systems, the timing of task execution is critical as any delay in meeting deadlines can result in catastrophic failures or significant operational faults. For instance, in applications such as medical devices or automotive safety systems, failure to complete a task within the specified time frame could jeopardize safety or lead to system malfunctions. Hence, the design and implementation of hard real-time systems focus heavily on ensuring that tasks are performed within their defined time constraints, making the adherence to deadlines essential for system reliability and functionality. This emphasis on deadline compliance differentiates hard real-time systems from other system types, particularly soft real-time systems, where delays might be tolerated to a certain extent.