I'm trying to program a microprocessor for the first time, and having lots and lots of doubts. I have installed both the C18 and the XC8 compilers, plus a few others. When I create a new project and select my microprocessor, PIC18F26K22, I get to choose between these two compilers, in addition to the two mpasm assemblers. When they are both available to choose, does that mean that they both work?

1. Mplab Xc16

Mplab Xc16

How do I decide which one to use? Stock car setup guide. I have tried googling but cant seem to find the answer; perhaps because I don't know what to google for and don't know how to read the results. Or perhaps it makes no real difference which one I pick? C18 is the old Microchip compiler, and XC8 is the new Microchip compiler that they bought from HiTech (or some name like that, anyway, the Aussie compiler). XC8 has the current support and is what Microchip is going forwards with. If you are starting from scratch with PICs, then this is probably what you want.