Ah ye olde Archimedes "C", the very first embedded software
project I did was to fix firmware that was written using that compiler. A consultant had dumped a non-functional system on us and I ended up rescuing the project. When we went to buy the Archimedes compiler it had been removed from the market in preparation for the Windows version that would be released "real soon". We couldn't wait for the release so, I decided to go with the only other option available at the time that integrated with our emulator, Cosmic (at that time distributed under the Whitesmiths name). At that time, 1992, I knew very little about embedded programming and nothing about "C". I was/am primarily an analog circuit designer. It didn't occur to me that there could be substantial differences between different vendors "C" compilers. When the compiler arrived and I read the manuals I got a sinking feeling that I might have a long struggle ahead. Trying to learn "C", embedded programming, translating between Archimedes and Cosmic and, then fix code written by someone else. However, I found that translating between the compilers was not difficult. Since then I've ported "C" code between quite a few compilers and have never found it to be hard, boring and tedious yes, but not difficult. So, I suggest you choose a compiler based on features and cost and don't worry, you'll be able to port the code without too much trouble. One last tip, use your editors "find & replace" command to quickly change all the register accesses to the new compilers format. Paul > -----Original Message----- > From: Janet Lefko [mailto:] > Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 4:14 PM > > I am supporting a legacy HC11 product with 12K code built on the > Archimedes Compiler platform. The company no longer exists, the tool is > DOS based, and the debugging utility is rather limited. > > IAR now supports this product and since no 2 compilers seem to use the > same way of accessing registers, I believe I am locked into the IAR tool > if I choose to upgrade to a Windows version. > > Does anyone have experience with the IAR tool and what do you think of > it? > > Thanks, > > Janet Lefko > > Electrical Engineer > > Tekscan, Inc. |