Re: PIC Development Help - compiler and IDE

"js1180" <spastula@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1129254708.6ff4ae6e3352ecfbdb3a17b35ff36f85@xxxxxxxxxxx
>I am just starting to learn PIC programming. I have some experience with
>Motorola processors so it's not brand new to me. I was wondering what C
>compilers are best for PIC's, what are you guys using. I was also looking
>for an IDE. I am especially interested in low cost products. I have the
>PICKit 2 (USB interface) and the MP Labs IDE. Unfortunately I am having
>some compatibility issues:
>
> 1) The MP Labs IDE does not support the PICKit 2. I have to code in the
> IDE, then switch to the basic PIC programming to write the file. No
> programming or debugging can be done with the IDE.

You can use MPLAB SIM in the IDE to simulate your code. If you get into
really complicated projects that require debugging in circuit with various
peripherals running, you should buy the MPLAB ICD2, which will interface
directly with MPLAB IDE. You'd then be able to program your PIC and debug
real time without switching applications.

> 2) The Pic lite compiler I have does not support the chip I am using -
the
> PIC16F690. Maybe the solution is to create a header file for the specific
> chip. Maybe you know a site that has files like this.

The HI-TECH PICC-Lite compiler was purposely crippled so it could be
released for free. If you want a C compiler for that particular chip, you
should buy the HI-TECH PICC compiler.

Personally, I don't recommend that you program PIC16's in C. The PIC16
architecture isn't optimized for C code. Hand written asm code will likely
run faster and take less space. If you are bent on using C, I would
recommend using a PIC18 part instead, which was designed with C in mind.
(The PICKit 2 may not be able to program PIC18s yet) Also, if you used a
PIC18 part, you could download and use the Microchip MPLAB C18 C compiler,
which is a very good C compiler. The free version of C18 disables the
procedurable abstraction optimization, which is of no consequence unless you
are completely out of FLASM memory. Otherwise, the free version is
uncrippled and supports all current and future PIC18s.

Although I've never used PICC-Lite, my guess is that you would have to
compile for one of the PICs that are supported in addition to modifying the
header file.

> I was surprised that the package I ordered did not have compatible
> products, all the items were bundled together in a kit.

The PICKit 2, true to it's name, is a starter kit. PICC-Lite is a 3rd party
product, so it strikes me as reasonable that it does not support the
PIC16F690, despite there being a copy of it on the CD. Also, the PICKit 2
is very new. While it may not be supported in MPLAB IDE yet, full source
code for the host application and the internal firmware is available, so one
day it may be interfaceable directly to MPLAB.


.

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