John Walker wrote:
>
>    I have for the past several weeks been developing some simple programs
> under the MPLAB-C development environment. However, I now have a project that
> will violate the 256 lines of code restrictions placed on the demo version of
> MPLAB. While I wish I could afford to purchase the full version of the
> software, I cannot, I am now looking for alternative "C" compilers. I have
> been looking at the PCM compiler supplied by Custom Computer Services, Inc. I
> was hoping to get some feedback from current users. If you are currently using
> this product, or know of a similiar one with equivelant features, I would
> greatly appreciate your feedback. While I am running the software on a PC
> platform, I don't have a preference for Windows or DOS based applications.
> Thanks in advance for any responses.

John,

I have no financial interest in CCS and don't know the guy.  Having said
that ...

I had an idea for a project which would use a PIC four weeks ago.  I had
never worked with a PIC before, although I have an electronics and
programming background.  Designing the circuit was not too difficult,
but I knew that learning the assembler for the PIC and doing the
programming would take months.

I came across the CCS PCM compiler and thought for $95 it was worth a
try, but I just knew that the code size would balloon up and I'd have to
go back to assembler.

Well, I am absolutely delighted with the compiler.  It is so much faster
programming in C, the libraries that CCS have are excellent, and the one
tech support e-mail I sent was answered within 24 hours.  I am a very
satisfied customer.  It has allowed me to (just about) finish a
non-trivial project in weeks instead of months.

The only odd thing is that if you want support beyond the first 30 days,
it costs $95/year.  I'm debating whether to get it or not.  The current
version has not caused me any problems yet.

Jim Dolson
jdolson@iserv.net