CCS PCD used for PIC24. If using PIC16 - any differences?

allenhuffman · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:16 am

We use PIC24 chips and the PCD CCS C Compiler.

Is what I am used to different for PIC16? If I needed to work on a PIC16 design, would PCD be the tool that would be used, or something different?
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Allen C. Huffman, Sub-Etha Software (est. 1990) http://www.subethasoftware.com
Embedded C, Arduino, MSP430, ESP8266/32, BASIC Stamp and PIC24 programmer.
http://www.whywouldyouwanttodothat.com ?

Using: 24FJ256GA106, 24EP256GP202 and 24FJ64GA002.

jeremiah · Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 1395

It would be a different compiler depending on "which" pic16 you are using (12bit or 14bit). See the diagram here:
https://www.ccsinfo.com/compilers.php

Now if you have PCWHD (vs just plain PCD), you can compile for any PIC CCS supports

allenhuffman · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:12 am

jeremiah · Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 1395

dyeatman · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 1963 Location: Norman, OK

I use PCWHD with the CCS IDE and ICDU40.
Switching between 10,12,14, 16, 18, 24 and dspic is virtually seamless for me.
I use it the same for any chip I choose, with minor differences due to the
change in number of bits. (header settings typically, since many of
the lesser series lacks some peripherals in the 24.)
I run two instances of the IDE for multi-core chips
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asmallri · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 1650 Location: Perth, Australia

Ttelmah · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 19909

Think of it being like the difference between driving a Ford [spam] and
a Fiesta. The ride is different because of the different size and weight,
but 95% of the controls are in exactly the same place. Some thins are
missing, and the performance is different, but very similar. Trying to switch
to the MicroChip system is like trying to change to a bus instead.
The biggest things to bear in mind, are the fuse settings, and the
sizes. Keeping it in your head that an 'int' is an int8, and that by default
variables are unsigned, is something you will need to keep reciting to
yourself when working on the smaller chips......

dyeatman · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 1963 Location: Norman, OK

Ttelmah · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 19909

Totally agreed. You will see that I recommend using the full names 'by
default'.
However, especially when including old code, or just being a bit 'casual',
it is easy to forget, especially the signed/unsigned part. Sad

asmallri · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 1650 Location: Perth, Australia

temtronic · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 8:47 am

ah, but you NEVER modify a supplied driver !
You copy,save as MYdriver, THEN modify MYdriver.
That way you'll always have ORIGINAL driver to fall back on.

dyeatman · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 1963 Location: Norman, OK

But also, the CCS drivers usually have the proper integer sizes/types already
so I don't typically have to make any changes to them.
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asmallri · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 1650 Location: Perth, Australia