Reviewing 'C' - Part 0

Only so much is learned in reading a tutorial.  Mastery of 'C' calls for an uderstanding beyond the basic syntax.  One must actually use the language.  In reading the tutorial, start using the language by building each of the example programs.  We will be using the Metrowerks Code Warrior tools for the 68HC12 microcontroller. 

If you are not using embedded microprocessor tools or otherwise have no tools installede, then get a package.  The following is a partial listing of several tools that you can download and use.  If you know of others, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, as I'd like to add to my list.

Some Windows 'C' development tools

The following list is a collection made over time and is certainly not exhaustive.  For the purposes of reviewing 'C' programming please pick something that you feel comfortable with.

Code::Blocks http://www.codeblocks.org/

A Free cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE).  Built to meet the most demanding needs of its users.  It is designed to be very extensible and fully configurable.  Please review my Instroduction to Code::Blocks.

 

LCC-Win-32

For non-commercial uses, the LCC compiler system is a no-cost, fully contained set of tools for Windows that you can use to write, compile, and debug 'C' code.  The web site outlines licensing details, has loads of documentation, including a far more comprehensive reference to 'C' programming.  Make sure to review the technical documentation.

 

CodeWarrior for the 68HCS(X)12 Microcontrolelr

In the ECE532 course we are using the Freescale CodeWarrior development studio for the Motorola 68HC12 related processors.  Freescale has a special edition that you can download, as a student there is no cost.  However for simply reviewing 'C' I suggest that pick a different set of tools.  The following CodeWarrior notes should help you get started.

 

cygwin at RedHat

cygwin.com webpage

Cygwin is a UNIX command line environment, for Windows.  It consists of a DLL (cygwin1.dll) which acts as a UNIX emulation layer providing substantial UNIX API functionality, as well as a collection of tools.  The Cygwin DLL works with all non-beta, non "release candidate", ix86 versions of Windows since Windows 95, with the exception of Windows CE. 

Installation is fairly straightforward, use these notes.  The setup.exe file allows you to install as much or as little as is necessary.  I like and use this environment, despite the command line interface.  The graphical debugger named insight is a nice feature.

 

MinGW

This is the Minimal GNU tool set for Windows.  It compiles and links code to be run on Win32 platforms.

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