The ANSI C programming language has lots of cool tricks that let you do lots of ASM code function with simple commands. When I learned C, I used very basic transitions from BASIC to get the job done. A couple years later, I don't understand many of the C shortcuts, but am functional with "spelling things out". Fortunately, I worked the SFRs even when there were PBP short cuts, so transitioning to C was possible for me. Again, start with the Microchip University tutorials. The C programming 'bible' is, "C Programming Language, 2nd Edition" by Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie. All the stuff you need to know to get started is in there.