Post by thread:%CCS C vs PPBasic%

I finished a program recently in PicBasicPro, and found it easy to use. I guess the biggest constraint in my mind was interrupts -or rather the difficulty in implementing them. Basically (no pun intended), it was not recommended. Having done some C programming in the far distant past, I thought it would be worth a try doing it on a Pic. After checking to see if the CCS C would generate the COD file needed for debugging with my Tech-Tools emulator (which it does), I purchased a copy of the full version of CCS C. This includes the dos and windows versions along with an ide. After having read the manual for CCS, I have to state that I am not sure I will ever use it. While CCS C does a much better job at handling interrupts (you can selectively turn them on or off as if you were in assembly), it falls flat on it's face by not having a byte in/out instruction - unless I am blind (which my wife does accuse me of quite often). CCS C does have a bit set/clear and a bit read instructions. In the current project I am working on, I want to interface a parallel LCD display - but the thought of having to transfer data a bit at the time to a port is more than I care to handle. Am I missing something, or shall I go back to PBP and be happy? Thanks, David V. Fansler Network Administrator TriPath Imaging, Inc. (Formerly AutoCyte, Inc) 336-222-9707 Ext. 261 spam_OUTdfanslerTakeThisOuTautocyte.com <.....dfanslerKILLspam@spam@autocyte.com> Now Showing! http://www.mindspring.com/~dfansler <http://www.mindspring.com/~dfansler> Updated February 7,2000 Ann's Cancer & David's Observatory

CCS can do byte-wide output. I suggest you take a look at their LCD sample code. As much as I dislike the compiler, it _did_ have somewhat useful examples. Basically, you will be forcing it to link a variable to an I/O port. You then just access it by that name. I think the ports are all pre-defined for you as well. Try PORTC or something like that. Andy

In the back of the users guide, there is a couple of examples of how to do byte wide transfers. I personally use an assembly language routine embedded as an inline. It works. Maybe not optimum, but usable. Regards, Jim On Mon, 28 February 2000, "Fansler, David" wrote: {Quote hidden}> > I finished a program recently in PicBasicPro, and found it easy to use. I > guess the biggest constraint in my mind was interrupts -or rather the > difficulty in implementing them. Basically (no pun intended), it was not > recommended. Having done some C programming in the far distant past, I > thought it would be worth a try doing it on a Pic. After checking to see if > the CCS C would generate the COD file needed for debugging with my > Tech-Tools emulator (which it does), I purchased a copy of the full version > of CCS C. This includes the dos and windows versions along with an ide. > After having read the manual for CCS, I have to state that I am not sure I > will ever use it. While CCS C does a much better job at handling interrupts > (you can selectively turn them on or off as if you were in assembly), it > falls flat on it's face by not having a byte in/out instruction - unless I > am blind (which my wife does accuse me of quite often). CCS C does have a > bit set/clear and a bit read instructions. In the current project I am > working on, I want to interface a parallel LCD display - but the thought of > having to transfer data a bit at the time to a port is more than I care to > handle. > > Am I missing something, or shall I go back to PBP and be happy? > Thanks, > > David V. Fansler > Network Administrator > TriPath Imaging, Inc. (Formerly AutoCyte, Inc) > 336-222-9707 Ext. 261 > dfanslerKILLspamautocyte.com <.....dfanslerKILLspam.....autocyte.com> > Now Showing! http://www.mindspring.com/~dfansler > <http://www.mindspring.com/~dfansler> > Updated February 7,2000 > Ann's Cancer & David's Observatory EraseMEjimspam_OUTTakeThisOuTjpes.com

Great Andy - just the info I was hoping to hear. Thanks, David V. Fansler Network Administrator TriPath Imaging, Inc. (Formerly AutoCyte, Inc) 336-222-9707 Ext. 261 dfanslerspam_OUTautocyte.com <@spam@dfanslerKILLspamautocyte.com> Now Showing! http://www.mindspring.com/~dfansler <http://www.mindspring.com/~dfansler> Updated February 7,2000 Ann's Cancer & David's Observatory {Original Message removed}

Yes it does handle Byte in/out. Example to get portB: Int GetPortB () { Int MyVariable; MyVariable = Port_B; Return (MyVariable); } (similar for sending a byte). Personally, I hate CCS C - it's riddled with perculiarities. I love PBP though. Regards, Darren Logan BSc

Yes, CCS can transfer a whole byte to a port. As long as you declare #BYTE portA = 0x06 or whatever your port address is, you can then state portA = LCDbyte; or portA = 0x0F; or whatever and the program will merrily output a byte to a port. C doesn't have a byte in/out instruction because it is much simpler! -- Lawrence {Original Message removed}

To Counter Andy's (widely respected) opinion of CCS: I have had a lot of good luck with the CCS compiler, and have revised my opinion to think that is quite a useful tool. Unlike some who have Dissed CCS, (and whose opinions are still respected) I would recommend it without reservations! -- Lawrence Lile