Top 3 PIC C Compiler

It's quite a difficult as well as important decision because I have seen that once you started working on some compiler then its quite difficult to switch from that compiler to any other compiler. The reason is, you have to first learn that compiler and then you start designing your codes on it and after learning one compiler you don't want to learn any other compiler. So, today I am going to share a List of PIC C compiler which are quite useful and I consider them the best compilers for PIC Microcontroller. Before going into details, lets first have a look at what is compiler.

What is Compiler ???

• In the start when microcontrollers were newly introduced, they were programmed in Machine language which is in the form of 0 and 1. We can also call it binary language. So, programming a microcontroller in machine language was quite difficult so designers did some research and they cme up with the idea of assembler.
• In assembler we write programming codes for Microcontrollers in assembly language then function of assembler is to convert that assembly language code into machine language and create the hex file and then we upload that hex file in our Microcontroller. But, if you have worked on assembly language then you must have the idea that assembly language is also not much easy and you have to write a lot of code just to perform a simple task and then researchers did some more work and finally they invented compilers. (Thanks a lot to them :D )

• Now in those compilers, we write our code in C Language and then these compilers convert those C Language codes into machine language and we get our hex file which is then uploaded in any microcontroller like PIC, Atmel, 8051 Microcontroller etc.
• Using compilers, the programming has become quite easy, we have ready to use libraries in these compilers using which we can do complex to complex tasks in just 2 to 3 lines.
• Now in different compilers the back end generated machine code is almost same but the front end C coding syntax is quite different. For example if you are working on LCD then it has different commands for printing in different compilers. So, that's why I mentioned earlier that if you are working in one compiler then switching to another compiler is quite difficult as in that case you first have to learn the syntax of that second compiler.
• There are lots of C Compilers available in market using which we can quite easily write our programming code. For different microcontrollers there are different compilers and today, I am going to share compilers for PIC Microcontroller. So let's get started with it.

1. MPLAB C18 Compiler
2. MikroC Pro for PIC
3. CCS Compiler

Top 3 PIC C Compiler

As the topic indicates, today I am going to share top 3 PIC C Compiler. These compilers are best compilers for PIC Microcontroller. I have worked on all 3 of them and that's why I have quite an idea that all of them are best compilers. They have their pros and cons but still you can work on any of them. You can say this list is a result of my 5 years hard work. :) So, let's get started with them:

1) MPLAB C18 Compiler

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  MPLAB C18 compiler comes at top in the list of top 3 PIC C Compiler as its the best one in the series. MPLAB is an official software developed by Microchip for PIC Microcontroller.
• It is free to use and you can download it from official site of Microchip.
• First of all, you need to install the MPLAB software so you should read How to install MPLAB software in Windows.
• Once you installed the MPLAB software, then you should install the MPLAB C18 Compiler so you should read How to Install MPLAB C18 Compiler in Windows.
• In MPLAB you can work on assembly language as well but using the C18 compiler you can write your code in C Language.
• MPLAB is the most flexible compiler for PIC Microcontroller as you can do anything in it with you PIC Microcontroller. But its a bit difficult to learn and program as in MPLAB you have to set every bit on your own.
• When I started my programming career, then I first started working on this compiler as I like it the most.
• So, if you want complete grip on your project then this is the compiler for you.
• If you are interested in working on this compiler then you should also read Getting started with MPLAB software.

2) MikroC Pro for PIC

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  MikroC Pro for PIC comes at second place in my list of top 3 PIC C Compiler.
• Its not free but has a student version using which you can compile your up to some limit. If the size of you code exceeds that limit then you can't compile your code using it.
• Its also one of my favorite compiler because of its easiness and user friendly environment.
• MikroC has a long list of built in libraries using which you can quite easily perform your tasks.
• Its not much flexible but is very user friendly, it gives you all the setting in hand and you can set them just by clicking some combo boxes.
• These days, I am working on this compiler because its easy to use and you have a great team at its back which gives you great support. So, if you ask me then I will recommend this PIC C Compiler.

• Speed Control of DC Motor using PIC Microcontroller.
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3) CCS Compiler

• CCS Compiler comes at third place in PIC C Compiler list.
• I have used it in some projects where there was a restriction to use this compiler.
• Its a bit difficult to learn and program because of its pure C style syntax but also has a great list of libraries with it.
• If you have already worked on C Compiler for windows then I think this one is best for you as the syntax is almost similar and you can learn it easily.