How close is the Swordfish 24F compiler?

JWinters · Post by **JWinters** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:19 pm

I've got a new project in the works. It'll be a challenge to make it work on an 18F. Should I hold out for the Swordfish 24F compiler?

rmteo · Post by **rmteo** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:43 pm

I have been waiting for over a year and a half on the SF 24F/H compiler - and am still interested when/if it is released.

That said, once you start using the PIC24F/H/dsPIC33, you will wonder why one would even use PIC18 - there really are huge advantages with the 16-bit core devices. I have been using the mikroBASIC compiler for almost 2 years now and have not regretted making the move.

JWinters · Post by **JWinters** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:54 pm

I own the mikroBasic 24F compiler, but I keep making excuses to stick with SF and 18F's. I can't seem to get used to the mikroB IDE. I like how SF just lets me put files in a folder to make a project. mikroB wants to manage all those aspects as well. I end up just making a mess out of things when I need to make special tweaks to a library for a particular job.

rmteo · Post by **rmteo** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:00 am

I agree that SF is nicer to use overall and that is why I am still looking forward to it being released for the 16-bit devices. However, the hardware advantages far outweigh the inconveniences of using a different compiler.

liak · Post by **liak** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:00 pm

Dear rmteo and JWinters,

I am backing both of you up! As with you people, I am looooo...onging for the arrival of SF 24F/H. I am already at the top speed of my PIC 18F and still the project requires something more. The juice is already out... The thought of learning MikroBasic 24F just holds me back from it. Hope David will announce something soon.

Regards,
Liak

rmteo · Post by **rmteo** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:34 pm

I don't have any major issues with using different compilers - they just take a little getting used to. In fact, I have (and use) 3 of them.

a. for those occasions when a PIC16 is called for (<14 pins, low cost) I use the Oshonsoft compiler (although I have mikroBASIC for PIC16 as well).

b. for PIC18 - SF of course, but much less often these days as the 16-bit core devices are my platform of choice.

c. for PIC24/dsPIC33 - mikroBASIC.

n8lp · Post by **n8lp** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:59 am

I have loved SF and used it on all my projects for some time, but my next two projects will be dsPIC. I am looking at mikroBASIC, but am concerned about bugs, and slow response to forum posts. Can you create/modify libraries in MB? That's something I routinely do in SF and would very much miss.

JWinters · Post by **JWinters** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:16 am

I have learned a lot from open SF libraries. I learn by example. Reading the datasheets only takes me so far. It's great to see some of the more exotic microcontroller features in real working code.

I was going to use mikroB and a 24F PIC with their Ethernet library until I actually started poking around with it. All the source code is locked up and I wasn't able to make my own custom changes for my project. It's not like I wanted to make drastic changes. I just needed to adjust some config settings, but apparently they don't want to share.

richardb · Post by **richardb** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:44 am

i'm a bit dissapointed as i was hoping sf would skip straight to the pic32

liak · Post by **liak** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:51 pm

How close are we to this, David?

rmteo · Post by **rmteo** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:03 pm

Just keeping this topic alive.

liak · Post by **liak** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:40 pm

Me too on the waiting list.

dmtulsa · Post by **dmtulsa** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:57 pm

Call me desperate, I just installed MicroChips C for the 24F parts. I hate C but no other choice and to be honest there are so many lib's out there you only have to learn the basics of C as most all the code is written and just needs modified. I'm BASIC to the core, I use VB(only if I have to) and PowerBasic (The BEST, fast,faster than C/C++) for PC apps. PDS and SF for Pic's. PureBasic for MAC's.

SF or PDS for the 24' 32's would be great but I can't wait. I'd rather use C than the Mikro basic stuff, just too buggy.

The good news is if your clever you can do things with the 18F's that you thought you must have the 24F's. But Its pain and not cost effective.

Just my thoughts
Doug

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:54 pm

In the interim I'd like to see some definitions for more of the J PICs e.g. J50 family.

But first we have to get David back from his 6 month World Cruise...

rmteo · Post by **rmteo** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:27 pm

Over here http://www.sfcompiler.co.uk/wiki/pmwiki ... tedDevices it says several J50's are supported.