Книга: Advanced PIC Microcontroller Projects in C

5.1.2 Assemblers and Compilers

5.1.2 Assemblers and Compilers

Assemblers generate executable code from assembly language programs, and that generated code can then be loaded into the flash program memory of a PIC18-based microcontroller. Compilers generate executable code from high-level language programs. The compilers used most often for PIC18 microcontrollers are BASIC, C, and PASCAL.

Assembly language is used in applications where processing speed is critical and the microcontroller must respond to external and internal events in the shortest possible time. However, it is difficult to develop complex programs using assembly language, and assembly language programs are not easy to maintain.

High-level languages, on the other hand, are easier to learn, and complex programs can be developed and tested in a much shorter time. High-level programs are also maintained more easily than assembly language programs.

Discussions of programming in this book are limited to the C language. Many different C language compilers are available for developing PIC18 microcontroller-based programs. Some of the popular ones are:

• CCS C (http://www.ccsinfo.com)

• Hi-Tech C (http://htsoft.com)

• C18 C (http://www.microchip.com)

• mikroC C (http://www.mikroe.com)

• Wiz-C C (http://www.fored.co.uk)

Although most C compilers are essentially the same, each one has its own additions or modifications to the standard language. The C compiler used in this book is mikroC, developed by mikroElektronika.

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