In message <1.5.4.16.19970202101732.2277a2cc@pop-3.ukonline.co.uk>, Tim Kerby writes >Hi >I'm wanting to learn how to program my PC in C and then go onto programming >PICs in C. Can you reccomend shareware compilers (preferably for win 3.1 >but dos'll do) and libraries that are available over the net and some good >books to start with. The best C compiler IMHO (and it's free!) for DOS is the GNU C compiler, gcc, produced by the Free Software Foundation. You want the DJGPP port for DOS, which is available from the Simtel archive. You will also need the DOS port of gdb, the debugger, especially if you are learning the language. gcc might not be the most user-friendly compiler around, but it is a better quality compiler than any of the commercial offerings. Our software engineers at work use it for developing embedded 68K applications in preference to the compilers supplied by the company, although the final version of the software has to be generated using an "official" compiler. You do need a 386 or better, as it requires protected 32-bit mode. The best book is the C bible, Kernighan and Ritchie's The C Programming Language. Leon -- Leon Heller, G1HSM leon@lfheller.demon.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 118 947 1424 (home) +44 (0) 1344 385556 (work)