The EE Compendium - C Cross-Compilers

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C Cross-Compilers

Freeware 68HC11 C Compilers

Small C - Small-C ported to the 68HC11 (includes C source code).

ICC11 - An older version (v0.50) of the ImageCraft 68HC11 C compiler.

gcc11 - A version of the GNU compiler for the 68HC11, ported by Coactive Aesthetics.

Interactive C - Originally developed for the MIT LEGO Robot (6.270) Contest, IC provides a subset of C in an integrated development environment that allows for very fast code development, with the ability to write and test code on-the-fly, without lengthy compile and download cycles. Also check out the commercial version from Newton Labs (below).

These public domain or freeware C compilers for Motorola's 68HC11 family are pretty much bare-bones compilers, mostly without significant documentation or support. Not recommended unless you have an extreme shortage of money and an extreme abundance of time to piddle with them.

Commercial 68HC11 C Compilers

ImageCraft - A low-cost but high-quality compiler, which includes an optimizer, floating-point support, assembler, linker, and librarian. Available in DOS command line ($75), Windows IDE ($130), and Linux command line ($75) versions. The only major missing features are true 32-bit longs, and support for in-circuit emulators, though they offer the "NoICE" monitor/debugger for $30. I have a copy of this compiler, and though I haven't used it a great deal, I was impressed with the documentation and support from the author. They also have a low-cost ($90-$150) HC12 compiler available.

Dunfield - This reasonably-priced ($100) compiler includes an assembler, linker, librarian, library (with ASM source), monitor (with source), and various utilities and sample programs. It lacks intrinsic support for the "long" and "float" data types, doesn't support typedef's, enum's or bitfields, and only the first 15 characters of symbol names are significant. The documentation is decent, but you'll have to print it out yourself -- it's only supplied on disk. Dunfield also has low-cost compilers available for many other microcontrollers, including a freeware one for MS-DOS that produces very small and fast executables.

IAR Systems - This is the compiler I'm currently using, and I have found it to be a quality product. It is also a high-end (starting at $1400) compiler, with good industry support. Documentation is fair -- good in spots, poor in others, with the most pronouced weakness being poor organization and indexes. Support has likewise been hit-or-miss -- generally fast, accurate, and helpful, but occasionally slow or even non-responsive. ANSI compliance is excellent, as is optimization, especally with the most recent upgrade (v4.11). I've encountered no major bugs. It supports bank-switched memory, though I found it's implementation problematic. The only major omissions are lack of library source, and no in-line assembly (all ASM code must be in separate files). Altogether, a fine product.

Cosmic - I used this compiler a few years ago, when it was known as the Intermetrics (AKA Whitesmiths) compiler, and it did a decent job. This is a professional-level compiler (starting at about $1500) with support for most major emulators and debuggers. Documentation was voluminous, and poorly written, but adequate. Library source was included; however, the source comments were in French. It was relatively bug-free, except when I occasionally managed to cross some arbitrary limit in module size (or symbol table size, or whatever, and it would just go nuts. Download their Evaluation Kit and try it out.

Introl - They have both hobbyist ($150) and professional ($2000) HC11 compilers, offering full ANSI compliance, library source, an assembler, a linker, and a debugger. They also have similar products for the entire Motorola line (6805, 6808, 6809, 68HC12, 68HC16, and 68300 families). Demos are available for download.

Avocet - Avocet is a well-respected name in embedded development tools. They have two families of C compilers. AVCASE is $1595 and includes Avocet C, a macro assembler, a monitor debugger, and a simulator. They've also taken over the 2500 AD line of products, which includes a C compiler ($815), assembler ($415), and simulator ($365). Demos are available for download.

HI-Tech - A high-end compiler at a mid-range price (~$850), it boasts full ANSI C compilance, an optimizing compiler, assembler, linker, library with full source, and a source-level debug monitor.

Archimedes - A high-end ($1395 to $2995) HC11 compiler for Windows; also versions for other Motorola processors (HC12, HC16, and 683XX). 30-day money-back guarantee. Demo can be downloaded from web site.

Newton Labs - Makers of a commercial version of Interactive C, with prices ranging from $35 to $100, and versions for Windows 95/Windows NT, Macintosh, and various Unix platforms. The commercial version includes support for more Standard C features, as well as a better integrated environment, extensive peripheral libraries, and professional documentation.

PIC C Compilers

ByteCraft - This is the industry-standard PIC C compiler, and the one I've been using off and on for about the last year. It's not perfect, but it certainly does the job, and receives my recommendation. A demo is available for download. Click here for a full review.

Microchip - This is a new product, based on old ByteCraft code. The major plus for this product is that it's Windows-based, and integrates into their MPLAB simulator/debugger package. Pricing is equivalent to ByteCraft (about $800). Get yer evaluation version here (will compile programs up to 256 bytes).

CCS - Custom Computer Services offers an economical ($99) C compiler for the PIC processors. I haven't tried this myself, but I've heard very good things about it. The included software libraries (I2C, timers, EEPROM interface, PSP, and bit-banged serial ports) are apparently very strong. There are reviews of the CCS compiler, along with comparisons of all these compilers, at DonTronics.

HI-Tech - HI-TECH Software's ANSI C compiler for the PIC series is currently available as a free beta version for evaluation purposes. Introductory pricing is $500 till 08/31/97, $850 thereafter.

CC5X - One of the first C compilers available for PICs, generates code for the 12-bit and 14-bit microcontrollers. Price is $400. A demo and example code is available for download.

Pico-C - A freeware compiler for the PIC16C84, which produces code which can then be run thru the MPALC assembler. Quality unknown.

8051 C Compilers

Dunfield - Low-cost ($100) compiler for the 8051. A simulator/debugger called "Emily" is also available for $50.

HI-Tech - A high-end compiler at a mid-range price (~$850), it boasts full ANSI C compilance, an optimizing compiler, assembler, linker, library with full source, and a source-level debug monitor. I used this product for an 8051 project, and was very impressed with the code quality. Demos are available here.

IAR Systems I haven't used their 8051 tools, but their HC11 compiler is first rate. Pricing is competetive with other high-end compilers ($1395).

Keil - Keil's tools are well-regarded, with a full product line, including an assembler, compiler, debugger, and RTOS. They must be ashamed of their pricing, because they don't list it on their web site -- but here it is anyway: it ranges from $1395 for the basic compiler to $2995 for the "Pro Developers Kit". Keil's compiler used to be distributed by Franklin, but is now carried exclusively by Keil. A demo is available here.

PLC - The PLC (Production Language Corporation) compiler is unique in that it is only available for Windows, and is offered at several price levels, differing only in the size of code they'll handle (4K = $495, 16K = $895, 64K = $1295, unlimited = $1695). 30-day money-back guarantee. An evaluation version is available here.

Franklin - Franklin used to sell the Keil compiler, now it sells one written by Raisonance. It's apparently pretty good, with all the goodies you'd expect in a professional package, including compiler, debugger, simulator, and RTOS. Pricing is $1395 for the compiler itself, and $1995 with all the extras. You can download an Evaluation Kit, which is a fully functional compiler that is limited to small model programs of 4K or less.

BSO/Tasking - BSO has a nice-looking compiler for Windows. An evaluation version is available for download.

Archimedes - Compilers for the 8051, 8051XA, and 80251, and variants. Priced from $1395 to $1995, for Windows only. 30-day money-back guarantee. Demo can be downloaded from web site.

MCC - MCC (Micro Computer Control) offers Micro / C-51, a low-cost ($149) compiler. I've never actually used this, but I've looked at it in some depth. I'd imagine that it's sufficient for small products, but appears to be lacking in C compatibility. For example, only the first 8 characters of symbol names are significant, it does not support 32-bit long or float data types, and doesn't support C++ style comments. It's basically a toy, I'm afraid ...

Misc. C Compilers

The GNU Project - A whole range of high-quality, user-supported, free cross-compilers for various platforms. Also check out DJGPP and the GNU Links.

Unless stated otherwise, I have no firsthand knowledge of these products -- I'm just providing links. Where I do have some experience with a product, I'll venture an opinion. You're advised to take what I say with a healthy dose of skepticism -- my opinion is quite possibly out of date (based on old versions) or just plain wrong. On the other hand, I've been known to be right on occasion ... your mileage may vary.