Re: [PIC] Learning C

My suggestion for an IDE and compiler (assuming you're using Windows) is to
install the MingGW GCC compiler using MSYS, and to use Visual Studio Code
as an editor.

There's a great guide for this published by Microsoft:
https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw

On Wed, 13 Nov 2024, 16:00 Nicola Perotto, <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi David,
> the Arduino multiverse is very good for learning/education.
> The IDE is enough good and the integrated serial terminal is very good for
> debugging.
> You can use it with a lot of different hardware and find a lot of not so
> bad
> libraries.
>
> For developing of PC I would use Embarcadero (was Borland) C++ Builder
> (free
> version).
>         Nic
>
>
> On 13/11/2024 15:20, David C Brown wrote:
> > Perhaps I need to rephrase my needs.
> >
> > I am a competent programmer and coding holds no fears for me.
> > I have programmed in several languages and written some quite complicated
> > programs in Pascal and Visual Basic.
> >
> > So  what I need  is to understand the syntax of the language - I have a
> > copy of Kernighan and Ritchieand - and write few useful applications on
> my
> > PC..
> > Where I need real advice is on what IDE/compiler to use.  I am not averse
> > to spending money on tsat
> >
> > __________________________________________
> > David C Brown
> > 43 Bings Road
> > Whaley Bridge
> > High Peak                           Phone: 01663 733236
> > Derbyshire                eMail:[email protected]
> > SK23 7ND          web:www.bings-knowle.co.uk/dcb
> > <http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/~dcb>
> >
> >
> >
> > *Sent from my etch-a-sketch*
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 12 Nov 2024 at 07:43, Richard Prosser<[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks Russell,
> >> I was thinking of recommending Arduino, but wasn't brave enough!
> >> The plusses are ease of use, plenty of examples and libraries, a good
> range
> >> of MCUs, development boards and quick implementation. MPUs include AVR,
> >> STM32, ESP and (using Energia) MSP430s. The downside is that it can be a
> >> bit limiting although you can write your way around most problems, no
> >> inbuilt RTOS as such, limited simulation capability and that a bit of
> C++
> >> knowledge may help in the long run. And it's not for desktop utilities -
> >> strictly MCUs.
> >>
> >> I note that no-one has recommended C#/MS Visual studio, and I'd also go
> >> along with this. IMHO it's not quite C.
> >>
> >> RP
> >>
> >> On Tue, 12 Nov 2024 at 02:58, RussellMc<[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>> On Tue, 12 Nov 2024 at 02:12, David C Brown<[email protected]> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I must stress that I want to learn C as a desktop language before
> >>>> converting to PIC use..
> >>>> Recommendations for a good book would be appreciated
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>> At the risk of being cast into outer darkness (weeping, wailing,
> >>> gnashing of teeth, ...)
> >>> I'll have another try at mentioning Arduinos.
> >>>
> >>> Here is a PIC implementation
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> https://www.instructables.com/Pinguino-Project-a-PIC-Microcontroller-Based-Ardui/
> >>> And here is a page that mentions several , but they me be somewhat more
> >>> arcane
> >>>
> >>>          https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-and-pic/868085
> >>>
> >>> BUT Arduino using AVRs is an exceedingly useful extra string to a
> >>> multistring bow.
> >>> The complete hardware, software, IDE ... (& even the power supply) for
> >> your
> >>> first attempt will cost you under GBP10.
> >>> Possibly under GBP5.
> >>> They are exceedingly easy to try and MAy lure you to the dark side.
> >>>
> >>> You don't even have to load the "flash a LED" / hello world equivalent
> >>> code. Tey tend to have LED flash preloaded.
> >>> Powering? - connect via USB cable to a PC (Windows / Linux / Mac)
> >>> Software - download the latest IDE from here
> >>> https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
> >>> Examples?  There are many dozens of include examples, starting with
> flas
> >> a
> >>> LED, read a button.
> >>> Plus ADC, DAC (PWM on many, true DAC on some), Serial, USB, SPI, ... .
> >>> Typical sensors interfacing. More
> >>>
> >>> In many cases you can use a p[remade "sketch" and tweak it as required.
> >>> A competent programmer can usually follow the code well enough without
> >>> extra input, and detailed tutorials are available.
> >>>
> >>> The system is not, of course, perfect and gets somewhat arcane and
> messy
> >> as
> >>> you start to do more complex things, but millions of people have walked
> >> the
> >>> same path and there is much advice easily avaialable.
> >>>
> >>> Something like youe=r data logger, if maybe not quite trivial, would be
> >>> extremely easy once you'd understood the basic system.
> >>>
> >>> This is an add on to other abilities and systems, but not one that
> should
> >>> be lightly ignored. (I claim :-) ).
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>       Russell
> >>> --
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> >>> https://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
> >>>
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> >>
>
> --
>
> Nicola Perotto - NP Engineering
> Sistemi Informatici ed Elettronici
> skype: nicolap
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