24.3.7 Plain char Types

The type of a plain char is unsigned char. It is generally recommended that all definitions for the char type explicitly state the signedness of the object.

Example

The following example:
char foobar;
defines an unsigned char object called foobar.

Differences

When targeting PIC MCUs, the MPLAB XC8 compiler has always treated plain char as an unsigned type. When targeting AVR MCUs, the compiler has used signed char as the default plain char type. Use of signed char has been true for MPLAB XC16, XC-DSC, and XC32. The -funsigned-char option on these compilers changes the default type to be unsigned char.

Migration to the CCI

Any definition of an object defined as a plain char needs review. Any plain char that was intended to be a signed quantity should be replaced with an explicit definition, for example:
signed char foobar;
which is the recommended method of defining such an object.

You can alternatively use the -funsigned-char option to change the type of plain char.