Which is the PIC compiler using C

[haytham]

HiTech PIC C is very good one

 

[millwood]

HiTech PIC C is very good one

as long as you stay away from their OCG stuff, particularly the 9.7x versions.

 

[Beeblebrox]

OK, it's funny to watch how many guys answered this topic sharing no experience and giving no useful advice :roll:

The question was:

which is the best PIC compiler (in c )?

The answer:

It depends on your project complexity and on your experience as well as on your financial status. That's it!

I. Generally:
- CCS is easier to learn, you've got good library background, sometimes you will get compiler bugs more frequently. On the other hand CCS C is frequently updated (because of those bugs). Quite ANSI compatible compiler.
- Microchip C - good and stable C compiler implementation with some serious ANSI C incompatibilities. Also working with PIC memory banks in Microchip C is more than annoying. Not frequently updated (may be because of less bugs or because of Microchip laziness).
- Hi-Tech C compiler - not cheap, but my favorite one. Linear memory addressing (you don't care of memory banks). Very good code optimization, almost ANSI compatible. I've got positive experience using Hi-Tech compilers with PIC16 and PIC18 series.

Note: I don't have any personal experience with other PIC C compilers, like MicroC, IAR, Knudsen, etc.

II. Project complexity
- if your project is rather simple go for cheaper solution, like CCS.
- if you need some support or free code from Microchip, go for Hi-Tech or Microchip C (I prefer Hi-Tech). For example free Microchip TCP stack for ENC28J60 is available only for Hi-Tech and Microchip C compilers.

I would go for Hi-Tech stuff, but it is completely up to you to make a decision.
Use Google and try to ask other people who have some experience with PIC development.

 

[MRahimi]

My friend,
You better watch the posts closer, then you will find some answers are really related.

By the way try Microchip C + MPLAB.
MPLAB (the IDE) is free and you can find free student version of Microchip C there.

You better work with something that has support rather than being very usesr friendly but very little support when you are trapped!

Mahdi.

 

[incomplete_jerin]

Yep. Google is our friend............... ;-)
Regards,
Jerin.

 

[sn_burki]

It is recommended for beginners only. Other wise work out with other compilers like Hi-tech C , CCS etc,
Regards,
Jerin.

I think you are very experienced in C language. Can you broter help me in understanding and suggesting me how can I start with C. I have been working in assembly language. Now I want to start with C. as many of my friends told me that C is very easy to program a Microcontroller. I want to work with mircro C or CCS. Can you tell me how can I start with it if you have any ebood that help me to start with microC or CCS plz tell me. I will be so thankful to you,

regards

 

[StanleyB]

I programmed in C for years, but recently switched to the more friendly Flowcode from Matrix. At the C compile stage I occasionally tidy up the code, or use some of my own C routines.
So far I haven't found a better PIC programming language.