New Kid on the block, getting started, general questions

[Kirk]

Greetings all, my name is Kirk.

I'm new to this forum. I hail from the Boston, MA area.

I am currently shifting my scope of development work with PICS, from occassional assembly code over a number of years to part time development. With this shift I actively enter the world of C. Getting into it I wonder why I didn't do so earlier.

I have one major project in the coming months and perhaps something occasional after that.

Anywho... about ramping up. I have been using the MPLAB with new ver.6.40. Have done fine in assembly, with RS232 and I2C projects. Yesterday, I took CCS sample c downloads and compiled and burned code. <a passage after many moments of frustration....hurray!>

I would greatly appreciate support with the following questions?

1) HI-TECH or CCS compilers? < Is this a heretical question on this site?>

I'm inclined to go with CCS given pricing and my current bench success. CCS also has the ICD-S40 debugger - what does that give me
beyond the Simulator function? HI_TECH is significantly more money, do you get more for it? If so, I could go that way, but would I need any advantages at this stage?

2) I plan to try the HI-TECH download sample, today. Is there a problem to have both on board with the MPLAB?

3) What questions should I ask when getting started?

4) What is your recommendation to get rolling, having had a beginners level c course 10 years ago? ( Postings, books, tutorials.... )

I'm excited to join the community of this forum and look forward to collaboration and making my own future contributions to the next new guy who comes along.

Cheers, Kirk

[SteveS]

I haven't used Hi-Tech, but CCS is very good. I've used it on a variety of PICs and have been well pleased.

on the minus side ---
- Probably the biggest problem is when CCS brings out a new version, there are frequent problems with any new features implemented or new processors supported. Luckily they are generally fixed quickly.
- The second biggest problem I have is the update support - you get 30 days (at last check) of free upgrades - it should be a year (IMHO).

On the plus side ----
- It makes coding the PIC a near joy
- I think it makes very efficient code. I sometimes look at the assembly list and am surprised at how compact it is (good learning tool)
- They keep up pretty well with new processors/features (with the caveat above)
- This list is very helpful
- the price is right
- I like the full blown IDE they sell
- extensive examples and drivers for various peripherals

Tips----
- start out on simple stuff to get the hang of it - use the examples
- get out your K&R handy to answer the straight 'C' questions
- understand that CCS has extended the 'C' language to enable efficient use of the on-board peripherals - use them but check it does what you want
- don't try to outsmart the compiler - I sometimes try too hard to write code so it compiles small
- look at the asm listing to see where to optimize and if you have odd errors
- when you run into trouble, search the archives, then, if needed, post with a clear subject line (not "HELP ME!")

- SteveS