Best Language / Programming suite for Atmel micros

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2Wires

Joined: 30 Nov 2003
Posts: 14

07 Dec 2003 3:13 best language programming

Hi folks,
I just started to program Atmel micros. I started with ATmega8 and 16.
I used the trial version of CodeVisionAVR and Bascom Basic.
Now I want to know which language and programming suite I should prefer to use. Where can I find the most help and examples, in C or Basic? Which suite has the best programming environment and help?
I like in CodeVisionAVR that I can easy program assembler (#asm #endasm), I didn't find it in Bascom yet.
So what are your experiences and what do you prefer?

I made a list of available suites and their benfits.

Code:

ASM JTAG-ICE Language programmer notes

IAR y y ANSI C/EC++ y optimizer, libraries with full source
Codevision AVR y y C y various optimations, libraries for
I2C, LCD & much more
Imagecraft ICCAVR y N ANSI C y pro Version has optimations
Bascom y N Basic y commands for I2C, LCD and some more

Thanks in advance
2Wires

Last edited by 2Wires on 07 Dec 2003 11:18; edited 1 time in total

eltonjohn

Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Posts: 1751
Helped: 28

07 Dec 2003 4:10 best atmel compiler

i really like IAR but yes you have to create separate segments for assembler an then link them. Also in line assembler is supported with the use of #asm ( .... ) And the simulator C-spy is great!

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07 Dec 2003 4:10 Ads

ramesh

Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 1260
Helped: 5

07 Dec 2003 8:25 mix language program in codvision

ICC AVR Professional V6 from Imagecraft is also very good.

2Wires

Joined: 30 Nov 2003
Posts: 14

07 Dec 2003 9:57 best programming environment for atmega

I forgot to say that on-chip debugging by JTAG ICE is very important for me. I don't think that all support this.
thx

sadat007

Joined: 01 Jan 1970
Posts: 428
Helped: 6
Location: Pakistan

07 Dec 2003 10:10 best language for programming avr

Hi,
Bascom support mix asm and basic very simple.
But I prefer you C language because high number of source code availablity and easy porting.

2Wires

Joined: 30 Nov 2003
Posts: 14

07 Dec 2003 17:03 iar avr librarie i2c

Thanx for your replies.
I think I will take CodeVisionAVR. It was easy to start and has a lot of functions. Also it supports the JTAG ICE and works fine until now.

Does anyone have experience with IAR Workbench? I just started the program and got a completely empty project. So I have to type all code on my own. I don't like it though it might have more function than codevision.

Regards
2Wires

ME

Joined: 14 Mar 2002
Posts: 1523
Helped: 13

12 Dec 2003 1:15 icc c-compiler for atmel

You will find much more support in C language than Basic.
Almost all professional programmes use Assembly and/or C language for embedded programming.
Basic is more of a hobby language for beginners.
C code is also very easy to port to other microcontoller families.
If you use ANSI C, porting from one MCU family and/or compiler to another is easier.
Personally I have only used CodeVisionAVR, this is very easy to use and produces very compact code like IAR. But CodeVision is not fully ANSI C.
CodeVision has built in CodeWizard which can be a help, especially to beginners. I thin ICC has something similar.

ICC is in the same pricerange as CodeVision, but I have heard that the code is not as compact as IAR and CodeVision. ICC is ANSI C.

IAR is the most professional (and expensive) C compiler, with tight code and lot of options. But IAR is not as easy to get started with as CodeVision and ICC. IAR is very expensive. IAR is ANSI C. IAR also makes compilers for almost all other 8, 16 and 32-bit MCU families, which can be an advantage if you want to change MCU.

There is a 4th C compiler for AVR which is free of charge. The AVR-GCC C compiler: http://www.avrfreaks.com/AVRGCC/index.php. I have heard this is quite good eventhough it is free.

Basic code is not as compact as C code and not as easy to port.

I have tried to look at IAR too, but it seems harder to get familiar with than CodeVision, but that is probably just until you get the hang of it.

I think you should read this document about choosing the right AVR C compiler:
Which C-compiler should I choose?
http://www.avrfreaks.com/Freaks/Articles/AdamJohnson/intro.php
You need to register and login.
You can find lots of other uesfull info at www.avrfreaks.com the best site about AVRs.