I'm in the process of choosing between either using Microchip's C18 compiler or the CCS compiler. I've read the comparisons as far as features go and both are comparable although CCS does seem to have somewhat more features.
But one of the really big factors is simply how big the developer communities compare. How much sample code is there on the web for both compilers. When I google the keywords "C18" "code" and "sample" I come up with 180,000 results, but when I google "CCS", "code" and "sample", I come up with nearly 1,000,000. This doesn't really tell me that there is more code out there for CCS but after visiting several web sites, I almost get the feeling that there is.
Another issue is whether it is even possible to take C code written for the C18 and compile it with the CCS compiler. Is this possible or will there be major problems?
One of the things I wanted to include in my first project was support for Zigbee (the new low power wireless protocol). Microchip not only has a free stack but includes sample code and schematics on how to interface to 2 vendor chips. CCS has nothing although I did find code on the web from one developer. CCS did mention that they will provide Zigbee support the first quarter of this year but I'll believe it when I see it.
So while CCS does seem to have more code in general, it is obvious that they do lack in some areas.
Any thoughts or experience that you can share on what to go with. If you've worked with either compiler, please let me know your experience.
Thanks Johann Blake