Setting a pin on PORTA in the PIC18F452 high: Compilation of code failed

Question

I am trying to write code that will set bit0 on PORTA in the PIC18F452 high if any of the conditions in the IF statements has been met. I am using the MPLAB ICD2 debugger and the Microchip C18 Toolsuite. The code is as follows:

#include <p18f452.h>

void main (void)
{
    // array containing vital sign values 
    unsigned char pulseR = 0x32;  // syntax error 
    unsigned char sysP = 0x64;
    unsigned char diasP = 0x26;

    // acceptable limits for vital signs according to relavant heath officials
    unsigned char pulseR_ULimit = 0xA0;
    unsigned char pulseR_LLimit = 0x28;

    unsigned char diastolic_ULimit = 0x5A;
    unsigned char diastolic_LLimit = 0x3C;

    unsigned char systolic_ULimit = 0x8C;
    unsigned char systolic_LLimit = 0x5A;

    TRISAbits.TRISA0 = 0;

    //Comparing obtained values with acceptable limits
    if (sysP < systolic_LLimit || sysP > systolic_ULimit)
    {
        PORTAbits.RA0 = 1;
    }
    else if (diasP < diastolic_LLimit || diasP > diastolic_ULimit ) 
    {
        PORTAbits.RA0 = 1 ;    
    }
    else if (pulseR < pulseR_LLimit || pulseR > pulseR_ULimit ) 
    {
        PORTAbits.RA0 = 1;
    }
    else                 
        PORTAbits.RA0 = 0;
}

Added:

The Build output is as follows:

 Debug build of project `C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\School Files\ECNG 3006 2011\Labs\Lab 3\Softare-Hardware Only\Lab3_3.mcp' started.
Preprocessor symbol `__DEBUG' is defined.
Sat Nov 19 13:56:03 2011
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clean: Deleting intermediary and output files.
Clean: Deleted file "C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\School Files\ECNG 3006 2011\Labs\Lab 3\Softare-Hardware Only\Lab3_3.mcs".
Clean: Done.
Couldn't locate build tool.  Check tool locations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Debug build of project `C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\School Files\ECNG 3006 2011\Labs\Lab 3\Softare-Hardware Only\Lab3_3.mcp' failed.
Preprocessor symbol `__DEBUG' is defined.
Sat Nov 19 13:56:05 2011
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BUILD FAILED

Can somebody please help me troubleshoot this code?

Answer 1

For setting an output you should use LATAbits.RA0 = x instead of PORTAbits.RA0 = x.

Also, try adding some brackets. Try this:

#include <p18f452.h>

void main (void)
{
    // array containing vital sign values 
    unsigned char pulseR = 0x32;  // syntax error 
    unsigned char sysP = 0x64;
    unsigned char diasP = 0x26;

    // acceptable limits for vital signs according to relavant heath officials
    unsigned char pulseR_ULimit = 0xA0;
    unsigned char pulseR_LLimit = 0x28;

    unsigned char diastolic_ULimit = 0x5A;
    unsigned char diastolic_LLimit = 0x3C;

    unsigned char systolic_ULimit = 0x8C;
    unsigned char systolic_LLimit = 0x5A;

    TRISAbits.TRISA0 = 0;

    //Comparing obtained values with acceptable limits
    if ((sysP < systolic_LLimit)||(sysP > systolic_ULimit))
    {
        LATAbits.RA0 = 1;
    }
    else if ((diasP < diastolic_LLimit)||(diasP > diastolic_ULimit)) 
    {
        LATAbits.RA0 = 1 ;    
    }
    else if ((pulseR < pulseR_LLimit)||(pulseR > pulseR_ULimit)) 
    {
        LATAbits.RA0 = 1;
    }
    else 
    {                
        LATAbits.RA0 = 0;
    }
}

Answer 2

Put the TRISAbits.RA0 = 0; after the declaration of your variables (they need to be declared at the start of routines)
So just after unsigned char systolic_LLimit = 0x5A;
It should compile fine then.

EDIT - check your Project build options (Project->Build Options->Project) are set up for the correct include directory. Here is a clip of my settings for the latest C18 compiler (you may have to root around on your C drive for yours if installed in a different place or using a previous version)

EDIT 2 - yes, the header file you are using is the problem. If you look at the structure for TRISA, you can see the bits are named TRISAx:

 extern volatile near unsigned char       TRISA; 
extern volatile near struct { 
  unsigned TRISA0:1; 
  unsigned TRISA1:1; 
  unsigned TRISA2:1; 
  unsigned TRISA3:1; 
  unsigned TRISA4:1; 
  unsigned TRISA5:1; 
  unsigned TRISA6:1; 
} TRISAbits; 

So if you change it to TRISAbits.TRISA0 = 0; it should work. Similarly you may have to change other things to comply with the header file.
Or don't change anything and just start using microchips latest header file (it should be in the compiler directory named \h (see above picture)

EDIT 3 - "can't find build tool"
This means MPLAB can't find the compiler executable. You need to go to "Project -> Set Language Tool Locations" and set the C18 Toolsuite executables correctly.
See this thread for some discussion of the issue. This is a snip of how it look on my laptop (note the path/file may be different on your computer depending on what version you are using):