gnupic: C compiler for 16F87X
Subject:
Re: C compiler for 16F87X
From:
David McNab ####@####.####
Date:
24 Nov 2004 09:20:31 +0000
Message-Id: <41A4521A.9020103@rebirthing.co.nz>
Snail Instruments wrote:
>
>> I'm new to this world and I would like to know if there exists
>> a free C (i mean price) compiler for PIC16F87X
>
>
> HiTech Lite C, limited to 2kW of code. No time restrictions.
Not an acceptable limitation for me - the thought of being only able to
use 25-50% of program memory would drive any self-respecting programmer
round the twist.
Another possibility is cc5x. It does have a limit of 1kW code per
module, but at least you can link together any number of modules to use
as much program memory as needed. But there's another limitation - when
calling across module boundaries, you can only pass a single 8-bit
argument, and return a single 8-bit value. That started irritating me as
well.
What worked for me is to give up on C for PIC, and accept that C is a
poor fit for such small chips. I'm getting on beautifully using PicForth
- it's amazing how much the power and beauty of Forth reveals itself in
these tiny chips.
PicForth is 100% free - as in beer, and as in speech. IMHO, it's the
best suited high level language for PIC. I'd recommend it to anyone.
--
Cheers
David
