Compilers on the MPC56xx? Recommendations, warnings?

Hi group,

we are in the process of switching over to a Freescale MPC56xx in one
of our products. Question is, which compiler is recommended by those
in the know of this platform? From a preference point of view, I would
like to get away from the Freescale Codewarrior suite, mostly because
I didn't like it in the 16-Bit world. If it is more professional (not
so centered on casual programmers needs) on the 32-bit line then it
would be acceptable. Any pointers to other groups where the MPC56xx
family is discussed?

regards,
Mark

Mark Piffer wrote:
> Hi group,
>
> we are in the process of switching over to a Freescale MPC56xx in one
> of our products. Question is, which compiler is recommended by those
> in the know of this platform? From a preference point of view, I would
> like to get away from the Freescale Codewarrior suite, mostly because
> I didn't like it in the 16-Bit world. If it is more professional (not
> so centered on casual programmers needs) on the 32-bit line then it
> would be acceptable. Any pointers to other groups where the MPC56xx
> family is discussed?
>

CodeWarrior is (IMHO) much better for the MPC56xx than it was for 8-bit
devices. I've used it for the MPC5554, which is the same family.

An alternative is CodeSourcery gcc. If you are trying gcc for these
devices, it is important that it has the latest support for these
devices, otherwise you won't be able to get single precision floating
point using the SPE.

If you are testing other compilers, make sure it generates SPE
instructions for single-precision floating point. Also make sure that
there are SPE-optimised libraries for any functions you might need -
until the most recent version, the CodeWarrior special edition (i.e.,
free but size limited) libraries did not use the SPE.

On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:17:23 -0700 (PDT), Mark Piffer
<> wrote:

>we are in the process of switching over to a Freescale MPC56xx in one
>of our products. Question is, which compiler is recommended by those
>in the know of this platform? From a preference point of view, I would
>like to get away from the Freescale Codewarrior suite, mostly because
>I didn't like it in the 16-Bit world. If it is more professional (not
>so centered on casual programmers needs) on the 32-bit line then it
>would be acceptable. Any pointers to other groups where the MPC56xx
>family is discussed?

In order to exploit the VLE you need to go (ATM of writing) for a
commercial product.

If you need C++ as well, CodeWarrior and DIAB come to mind. If C is
enough you might have a look at Cosmic compiler.

I work with gcc (for non-vle) and DIAB (VLE, IEC61508 kernel). Both
are from code-generation point of view IMHO identical, but DIAB has a
broader CPU support (VLE,SPE).

CodeWarrior is easy to test, just download the special (free) edition
and start.

--
42Bastian
Do not email to , it's a spam-only account :-)
Use <same-name>@monlynx.de instead !

On 28 Okt., 21:21, bastia...@yahoo.com (42Bastian Schick) wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:17:23 -0700 (PDT), Mark Piffer
>
> <mark.pif...@chello.at> wrote:
> >we are in the process of switching over to a Freescale MPC56xx in one
> >of our products. Question is, which compiler is recommended by those
> >in the know of this platform? From a preference point of view, I would
> >like to get away from the Freescale Codewarrior suite, mostly because
> >I didn't like it in the 16-Bit world. If it is more professional (not
> >so centered on casual programmers needs) on the 32-bit line then it
> >would be acceptable. Any pointers to other groups where the MPC56xx
> >family is discussed?
>
> In order to exploit the VLE you need to go (ATM of writing) for a
> commercial product.
>
> If you need C++ as well, CodeWarrior and DIAB come to mind. If C is
> enough you might have a look at Cosmic compiler.
>
> I work with gcc (for non-vle) and DIAB (VLE, IEC61508 kernel). Both
> are from code-generation point of view IMHO identical, but DIAB has a
> broader CPU support (VLE,SPE).
>
> CodeWarrior is easy to test, just download the special (free) edition
> and start.
>
> --
> 42Bastian
> Do not email to bastia...@yahoo.com, it's a spam-only account :-)
> Use <same-name>@monlynx.de instead !

I suppose with DIAB you are referring to the Wind River compiler? I
remember Chris Torek as an invaluable contributor and expert over on
comp.lang.c who would always go out of his way to thoroughly explain
and support his arguments. If the compiler is of a comparable quality
like the individuals working there, then I think I will take a closer
look at it.

BTW: Which type of kernel do you use, and is it somehow certified?

Mark

On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:47:04 -0700 (PDT), Mark Piffer
<> wrote:

>On 28 Okt., 21:21, bastia...@yahoo.com (42Bastian Schick) wrote:
>> On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:17:23 -0700 (PDT), Mark Piffer
>>

>I suppose with DIAB you are referring to the Wind River compiler? I

Yes, I still can't deal with the new name :-)

>remember Chris Torek as an invaluable contributor and expert over on
>comp.lang.c who would always go out of his way to thoroughly explain
>and support his arguments. If the compiler is of a comparable quality
>like the individuals working there, then I think I will take a closer
>look at it.

With C/C++ I had no problems, only some issues with the assembler.
But I guess very little WRS (got it :-) have so many lines of pure
assembly.

>BTW: Which type of kernel do you use, and is it somehow certified?

The company I work for:www.sciopta.com. And yes certified after
IEC61508 (for ARM part 1 and 3) or very close to (PPC, parts 1,2 and 3
up to SIL3).

--
42Bastian
Do not email to , it's a spam-only account :-)
Use <same-name>@monlynx.de instead !

wrote:
> Mark Piffer wrote:
>> Hi group,
>>
>> we are in the process of switching over to a Freescale MPC56xx in one
>> of our products. Question is, which compiler is recommended by those
>> in the know of this platform? From a preference point of view, I would
>> like to get away from the Freescale Codewarrior suite, mostly because
>> I didn't like it in the 16-Bit world. If it is more professional (not
>> so centered on casual programmers needs) on the 32-bit line then it
>> would be acceptable. Any pointers to other groups where the MPC56xx
>> family is discussed?
>> regards, Mark
>
> http://www.windriver.com/products/de...iver_compiler/
>
> Wind River Compiler, formerly known as the Diab Compiler
>

Do you have any idea about the future of such compilers, now that Intel
has bought Wind River? I am not trying to be paranoid or unreasonably
sceptical, but it may be something to consider that good PPC tools from
Wind River would directly harm their new parent company. Intel is not a
company with a good reputation for competing fairly in the processor
business (see the various Intel/AMD lawsuits around the world), although
as far as I know their software side has an excellent reputation.

I have a customer who is interested in Wind River PPC compilers, so I am
genuinely interested in any opinions here.