[time-nuts] I want a good micro-controller

[Rex]

Bruce Raymond wrote:
> My actual contribution to the thread is a link to a free C compiler for 
> PICs that works pretty well. I have been using the CCS compiler and 
> switched to this one.
>
> www.sourceboost.com/
>
> Bruce Raymond/ND8I
>
>   
Bruce,

I've been using the CCS C compiler for several years. The PIC has been 
my main micro, with the help provided by the compiler, but I do 
sometimes use other micros. At times CCS has driven me nuts with 
assorted bugs from version to version, but I continue to use it.

The main reason I use this compiler is because it has functions that 
support easy use of many of the features of the PIC. The main one, is 
that you can define any two pins as a serial port, even ones without the 
standard UART hardware. Other function support gives easy access for 
things like timers, delays, interrupts, ADC, PWM, I2C and internal 
EEPROM read write.

After a quick browse of the sourceboost pages, I couldn't figure out if 
this type of thing is provided in the compiler package (even the top PRO 
pay version). I'd be interested to hear comments from anyone about 
support for these PIC features in various compilers. The same type of 
information for other micro families and compilers welcomed too.

On the general micro discussion -- one thing I have noticed is that the 
PICs seem to be more inclined to go berserk than (say) the 8051 types I 
have used in the presence of electrical noise.

-Rex