I am a research student in networked appliances.

My industry background is 9 years fairly low level C++, but not really with MCUs or in the RF domain. Also the organisations I worked for all had quite large tools teams and so my tool config experience is limited.

I recently bought various kit from TI all using 8051, and intending to use IEEE802.15.4 Medium Access control (MAC) software stack TIMAC, also a stack for BLE, but STUPIDLY did not realise that the iar embedded workbench IDE & Compiler was evaluation only. Accademic budget will very likely not run to a full IAR license.

Given the libraries(?) (TIMAC, BLE stack) I will be working with, my C++ skills (but happy to use 'C' if C++ not good with 8051), some but limited funds, and my limited tools config experience, I am looking for a recommended low dollar combined IDE/compiler/debugger. Or possibly a compiler with a configuration instruction list for dummies.

I am newbie to this kind of thing and I hope I have posted in an appropriate forum, if not please forgive.