The MPLAB C Compiler for Academic Use are the LITE versions of the fully ANSI compliant products with standard libraries for Microchip’s PIC18, PIC24, dsPIC DSC, and PIC32 families. They take advantage of the PIC MCU and dsPIC DSC architectures to provide highly efficient software code generation. The MPLAB C compilers provide extensions for in-depth support such as interrupts and peripherals and special function registers. They are fully integrated with the MPLAB IDE with a full-featured programmer’s editor, a graphical project manager and high level, source debugging. These compilers come complete with assembler, linker and librarian for mixed mode C and assembly programs.

The MPLAB C Compiler for Academic Use (LITE) are distributed with a complete ANSI C standard library. The libraries include functions for string manipulation, dynamic memory allocation, data conversion, timekeeping, and math functions (trigonometric, exponential and hyperbolic). The compilers support both alternate data models, especially useful to take advantage of the memory in embedded systems. The MPLAB C Compiler for Academic Use (LITE) include a powerful command line driver program. Using the driver program, application programs can be compiled, assembled, and linked in a single step.
These compilers are open-source, with the exception of the PIC18 compiler. These are easy to learn and ready for use with the full complement of libraries, ancillary programs and full documentation on compiler, assembler and linker.
Features
Key features of the MPLAB C Compiler for Academic Use (LITE) include:

• ANSI-compliant
• Free, fully functional, with all libraries and source code as commercial versions
• Integrated with MPLAB IDE for easy-to-use project management and source-level debugging
• Generates relocatable object modules for enhanced code reuse
• Fully compatible with object modules generated with MPASM Assembler, allowing complete freedom to mix assembly and C in a single project
• Interrupt code can be written in C or assembly
• Flexible memory models take advantage of small memory applications and the storage of data in SFR space
• Strong support for inline assembly when total control is absolutely necessary
• Super-efficient code generator engine with multi-level optimization
• Extensive library support, including standard C, math, DSP and peripheral libraries
• Additional software libraries and application development tools are available from Microchip’s web site
• GNU-based, open source code (except PIC18)