Programming Languages - Revision history

DavidCary: link to related articles, etc.

2025-11-14T01:49:57Z

link to related articles, etc.

DavidCary: link to yet another microcontroller C compiler

2025-04-13T00:13:12Z

link to yet another microcontroller C compiler

DavidCary: start rough draft of "Python" section, etc.

2025-04-11T18:42:31Z

start rough draft of "Python" section, etc.

80.43.62.47: /* Introduction */

2013-05-08T08:26:35Z

Introduction

144.35.26.103: /* Introduction */

2011-04-18T23:48:18Z

Introduction

80.222.218.104: /* Forth for PICs */

2011-02-27T20:21:16Z

Forth for PICs

98.248.178.172: /* For Pics */

2010-01-04T05:48:24Z

For Pics

98.25.11.140: /* C */

2009-08-28T01:59:36Z

Russ hensel: /* Other */

2009-04-02T20:30:29Z

Other

Russ hensel: /* Introduction */

2009-02-23T23:36:59Z

Introduction

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * [http://www.sourceboost.com/Products/BoostBasic/Overview.html What is BoostBasic] Compiler
 * [http://gcbasic.sourceforge.net/ Great Cow Basic], open source compiler for Pics -- allows inline assembly, allowing more experienced programmers to do things not possible in pure Basic.
 == C ==
@@ Line 119: / Line 120: @@
 The low-level software handles things that microcontrollers handle well -- extremely rapid response to sensors (such as, for example, avoiding driving over a cliff) and extremely precise precision timing (such as, for example, driving the stepper motors in a 3D printer) -- see [[RTOS]].
 The high-level software running on a Linux machine handles things that Linux handles well -- user interfaces; or large databases; or internet access; or some combination.
 In a few cases, the Linux machine also includes the compiler and an upload tool to update the software on the microcontroller -- see
@@ Line 145: / Line 148: @@
 [[Category:Microcontroller]][[Category:PIC]]

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 * [http://www.sourceboost.com/Products/BoostC/Overview.html BoostC Compiler Overview]  Free for up to 2k of code, BoostC Full License US $69.95  The full license has unlimited RAM and ROM usage. Suitable for projects of all shapes and sizes. The definite choice of the serious programmer. Non-commercial use.
 * [http://tutor.al-williams.com/picc1.htm C Programming with the Microchip PIC] tutorial
 == Forth ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Introduction ==
-Perhaps the title should be for '''Programming Languages Microcontrollers''', in any case that is what the content is now and probably should stay.
+Perhaps the title should be for '''Programming Languages for Microcontrollers''', in any case that is what the content is now and probably should stay.
 Very high level languages are less suitable for microcontrollers, so the choices are less than one would find on a PC.  The main programming languages used in microcontrollers are Basic, C, and assembly.
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 == Basic ==
-Some people consider Basic to be the easiest programming language to learn.  The language is line oriented so compilers tend to produce more debugable error messages.
+Some people consider Basic to be the easiest programming language to learn.  The language is line oriented so compilers tend to produce more debuggable error messages.
 Basic encourages incrementally developing and testing software, an interactive technique that supports rapid application development.
@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 == C ==
-C is a middle level language that is considered to be high enough for productivity but close enough to the hardware to have some of the power of assembly. C has free form formating rules so the look of C varies according to style and C compilers tend to produce harder to debug error messages.  C is gaining in popularity over assembly with microcontrollers as embedded systems are becoming more and more complex.
+C is a middle level language that is considered to be high enough for productivity but close enough to the hardware to have some of the power of assembly. C has free form formatting rules so the look of C varies according to style and C compilers tend to produce harder to debug error messages.  C is gaining in popularity over assembly with microcontrollers as embedded systems are becoming more and more complex.
 <s>C is almost always compiled instead of interperated.</s>
 Advanced C requires understanding of pointers which requires lower level understanding of the hardware than some people are interested in going.   C compilers can be very expensive, however several free or demo versions of compilers are available.
 === For Pics ===
 * [[Use C for PIC Programming!]]
 * [http://sdcc.sf.net/ SDCC] supports 16fxxx and 18fxxx parts from Microchip. Open source. Integrates with [http://piklab.sf.net/ Piklab] and [http://eclipse-sdcc.sf.net/ Eclipse].
 * [http://www.htsoft.com/products/ Hi-Tech PICC] Pro, Standard and Freeware compilers for PIC10/12/16, PIC18, PIC24, dsPIC, and PIC32. OS X, Linux and Windows compilers available.
@@ Line 79: / Line 84: @@
 * Operator and function overloading
-C++ is not as common as C for microcontrollers mostly because many microcontrollers are not powerfull enough to run software large enough where the extra features become imporant.  C++ is not supported by as many compilers as C for microcontrollers.
+C++ is not as common as C for microcontrollers mostly because many microcontrollers are not powerful enough to run software large enough where the extra features become important.  C++ is not supported by as many compilers as C for microcontrollers.
 *[http://www.sourceboost.com/Products/BoostCpp/Overview.html BoostC++ Compiler Overview]
 == Assembly ==
@@ Line 90: / Line 97: @@
 Some C compilers do not produce the best possible code so writing in assembly can theoretically produce faster code, but poorly written hand assembly can be worse.
 Some people mix C and assembly in the same project and most compilers make it easy to integrate assembly in C programs.
 == Other ==
 * See the compiler section of [[PIC Links]]
 We should expand this section, but for now will just mention some names, you can google them:
@@ Line 100: / Line 140: @@
 * JAL Just another Language
 * [http://pyastra.sf.net/ Python]
 [[Category:Microcontroller]][[Category:PIC]]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 Very high level languages are less suitable for microcontrollers, so the choices are less than one would find on a PC.  The main programming languages used in microcontrollers are Basic, C, and assembly.
-Microcontrollers are generally harder to program then PCs because it isn't as easy to view debugging output, it takes more time to flash a new firmware, and the tools are generally less developed then PC tools.  One suggestion is to learn basic programming on a PC first and then migrate to embedded systems after gaining some understanding.  One hint on selecting a language is to always consider using the same language as the people you work ( play ) with do.  This makes getting help much easier.  Or pick a language with a strong support system on the internet.  Of course the language cost and features matter too.
+Microcontrollers are generally harder to program than PCs because it isn't as easy to view debugging output, it takes more time to flash a new firmware, and the tools are generally less developed than PC tools.  One suggestion is to learn basic programming on a PC first and then migrate to embedded systems after gaining some understanding.  One hint on selecting a language is to always consider using the same language as the people you work ( play ) with do.  This makes getting help much easier.  Or pick a language with a strong support system on the internet.  Of course the language cost and features matter too.
 == Basic ==

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Perhaps the title should be for '''Programming Languages Microcontrollers''', in any case that is what the content is now and probably should stay.
-Very high level languages are less suitable for microcontrollers, so the choices are less then one would find on a PC.  The main programming languages used in microcontrollers are Basic, C, and assembly.
+Very high level languages are less suitable for microcontrollers, so the choices are less than one would find on a PC.  The main programming languages used in microcontrollers are Basic, C, and assembly.
 Microcontrollers are generally harder to program then PCs because it isn't as easy to view debugging output, it takes more time to flash a new firmware, and the tools are generally less developed then PC tools.  One suggestion is to learn basic programming on a PC first and then migrate to embedded systems after gaining some understanding.  One hint on selecting a language is to always consider using the same language as the people you work ( play ) with do.  This makes getting help much easier.  Or pick a language with a strong support system on the internet.  Of course the language cost and features matter too.

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 * [http://www.ram-tech.co.uk/ IRTC], a Forth for the PIC18Fxxx microcontroller family.
 * [http://mary.pepix.net/ mary], an Optimizing Forth Compiler for the PIC
-* [http://flashforth.sourceforge.net/ FLASHFORTH] for the PIC18Fxxx microcontroller and for the dsPIC30F DSP families.
+* [http://flashforth.sourceforge.net/ FLASHFORTH] for the PIC18 and PIC24 microcontrollers and for the dsPIC30 and dsPIC33 DSPs.
 * [https://devel.goto10.org/packets/wiki/purrr Purrr] is a Forth dialect for microcontrollers. Currently has a PIC18Fxxx microcontroller implementation.
 * [http://pic18forth.sourceforge.net/ Pic18Forth] is a 16-bit implementation of the Forth programming language for Microchip PIC18Fxx2 microcontroller devices.

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 * [[Use C for PIC Programming!]]
 * [http://sdcc.sf.net/ SDCC] supports 16fxxx and 18fxxx parts from Microchip. Open source. Integrates with [http://piklab.sf.net/ Piklab] and [http://eclipse-sdcc.sf.net/ Eclipse].
 * [http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010014&part=SW006011 Microchip C18] For 18fxxxx parts from Microchip.  Integrates with MPLAB. Free student/Demo version is available that has some optimizations disabled.
 * [http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010065&part=SW006012 Microchip C30] For Microchip's DsPIC and PIC24 microcontrollers.  GCC based with extensions.  Free student/Demo version available.