Many compiler companies have limited versions of their software.  The
free C compiler with the "best" (least restrictive) free usage is
http://www.bknd.com/ compiler.  It will program any PIC chip up to 1k of
compiled code.  It doesn't turn on all the optimizations, but most
student projects fit in under 1k, and with the larger projects you'll
want to convert many routines to assembly, which will save some of that
code space.

Many other free demos only program 1 type of chip (hitech, for instance,
only does the 16f84, IIRC, but has all its normal optimizations - only
the 'f84 is all but obsolete, and much more expensive a chip than its
siblings.)

However, ask around.  There are student discounts from some compiler
makers.  If they can get you hooked now, they'd make more money later
(why do you think MS sells all their $100 to $500 software for $33 each
to college/university students?)

Companies are so uptight in this market.  Things really ought to change
- if Microchip released their compiler for free (include it in MPLAB)...

Go Scott!

-Adam

Aaron Blohowiak wrote:

>i'm just a student and cant afford any of the PIC c compilers (unless there is a GNU one that i am unaware of.) I was wondering if anyone knows if i could get a much lower rate because of my noncommercial status ?
>
>Thank you for your help,
>
>Aaron
>
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