On Sat, 15 Jul 2000, Albert Goodwill wrote:

> Is there any free demo version of version of CCS C compiler for PICs?
>
> albertgoodwill@yahoo.com

Albert,

I asked CCS the same question.  They said they would, but you would need
to fill out some forms and FAX them to CCS, after which they would send a
floppy.  A little cumbersome.  I am now using CCS' PCM compiler, and I
have to say I've been pretty favorably impressed by it.  The sheer number
of built-in functions makes writing an application a lot easier.

I was pretty disappointed, though, to find out that you only get the
"good" optimization levels with PCW for more than twice the cost.  If it's
on their Web site I must have missed that little detail.  I also think
their support and upgrade policy -- free for only the first 30 days, then
you have to basically re-purchase the compiler every year for updates and
maintenance releases -- well, quite frankly, I think it stinks, and I hope
CCS changes that policy soon.  As I told a friend the other day, I bought
PCM because CCS' policies and pricing suck less than anyone else with a
product that will do what I need, but it's a pretty fine line.

I did enough research on the issue I plan to put up a comparison of the
compilers I looked at on my Web page one of these days.  If you're going
to spend money on a C compiler and don't have a huge budget, it's a tough
choice, and none of the available choices are all that terribly
attractive.  It's *almost* enough to drive me back to assembler.

Dale
---
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."
                -- Isaac Asimov

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