From: Alan Pearce <kiwiantipodean@googlemail.com>
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. <piclist@mit.edu>
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Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:55:17 -0700
Subject: Re: [PIC]: MPLAB XC C Compiler License Change
Thread-Topic: [PIC]: MPLAB XC C Compiler License Change
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I seem to recall that previously this was the case, and they may have
changed, and it looks like they are changing back.
However the free versions of XC8 and XC16 allow you to use -O2, which
for a lot of people is all they need.
The other thing to note is that if really squeezed for room or speed
you can buy the PRO license by the month, so most of the development
can be done in free mode then further optimisation can be done with a
short term license purchase.

The ones who will be hit hardest will be those who have the accredited
compiler which will only run in PRO mode.

I wonder how this affects people who have the dongle version of the PRO lic=
ense.

On Mon, 27 Jul 2020 at 23:25, Brent Brown <brent@eds.co.nz> wrote:
>
> FYI - Received an email from Microchip today with the above subject line.=
 Similar
> text as that found here, read from License Change Notice:
>
> https://www.microchip.com/mplab/compilers
>
> Two key points:
>
> - All MPLAB XC PRO licenses activated after this date (September 1, 2020)=
 will
> expire after one year unless the HPA is renewed
>
> - An existing MPLAB XC PRO license will change to this new model as the H=
PA is
> renewed and applied to it.
>
> Where HPA =3D High Priority Access. Presently gives (existing owners) an =
ungrade to
> the latest version plus any other new versions released in the next 12 mo=
nths.
>
> So the compiler will stop working after 12 months unless one pays a yearl=
y license
> fee. I imagine it stops working in Pro mode, and instead falls back to th=
e
> free/un-licensed mode with little to no optimization. Where fully optimiz=
ed code is
> essential, this effectively means it stops working.
>
> Feels like it might be an un-popular change, especially for those with sm=
aller
> budgets. I was quite accepting of HPA as it was... ability to upgrade onl=
y as and
> when required, e.g. starting a new project with a new chip, and ability t=
o maintain
> older projects at will.
>
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