16 Conclusion

The foregoing should give a fair idea how the C51 compiler can be used in real embedded program development. Its great advantage is that it removes the necessity of being an expert in 8051 assembler to produce effective programs. Really, for the 8051, C51 should be viewed as a universal low to medium level language which both assembler and C programmers can move to very simply. Access to on and off-chip peripherals is painless and the need for assembler device-drivers is removed. It will allow well structured programs devoid of the dreaded goto or LJMP. In fact most of the extra code generated by C over an assembler is employed in ensuring good program structure rather than just inefficient use of the 8051 instruction set. It offers true portability from the 8051 to other processors and, unusually, the reverse is also true. Thus existing functions can be re-used, so reducing development time.