In SX Microcontrollers, SX/B Compiler and SX-Key Tool, PJMonty wrote: James, I'm not speaking for Parallax, only for myself. Here are a couple of potential issues with the BKND compiler. 1 - It's still BETA, and there are no plans apparent on the BKND website as to when (or if indeed, ever) the 1.0 version is coming out. As far as I can tell, this is an unfinished piece of software with no support from the company who made it, and no plans to work on it in the future. 2 - Is it just me, or is the SX compiler pretty much hidden on the BKND website. When I go to the home page, I see only links to the two Pic compilers. The only way to find the SX compiler is searching for it by name via Google so I can find the page on the BKND website. 3 - The BKND compiler seems to make you do a lot of work telling it what banks to put variables in. Isn't [b]not[/b] having to do this sort of processor specific work the reason why use high level languages? 4 - Cost. The BKND compilers cost $250 for the standard edition. Right now, everyone considers it "free" because it is unsupported, BETA software. I don't believe the programmer is planning on upgrading the compiler unless people start buying it, and they can't buy it because it's not for sale and is still in BETA, etc, etc. I see a chicken-and-egg problem with a programmer who wrote a compiler, didn't see a big enough market, and has just sort of let it sit "hidden" on his website. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something, but the above four points are all things that I see as reasons that BKND is not currently an actively supported C compiler for the SX IDE. To the best of my understanding, Parallax wants to get a good, low cost C compiler for the SX. Currently, CCS is (attempting) to provide it. I too am frustrated with CCS at times, but at least they are actively working on the problem. Is there any indication that the BKND programmer is actively working on his free, BETA software? If BKND stepped up to the plate, perhaps contacted Parallax, and indicated an interest in working the them, things might change. Similarly, if they dropped the price from $250 to $100, I could see a lot more people willing to buy it. However, until something changes, I can only assume the situation will remain as it is right now. If you want (as do I) a C compiler for the SX, perhaps you can contact BKND and find out where they stand on lowering the cost and starting active work on the compiler again. Thanks, PeterM ---------- End of Message ---------- You can view the post on-line at: http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=7&p=1&m=209049#m209063 Need assistance? Send an email to the Forum Administrator at forumadmin@parallax.com The Parallax Forums are powered by dotNetBB Forums, copyright 2002-2007 (http://www.dotNetBB.com)