use it properly. Having cryptic hexadecimal codes scattered around is not the best possible effort on code clarity.

Here is an example:

// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
// Some commands for LCD module
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
#define	LCD_CMD_CLEAR		0x01
#define	LCD_CMD_HOME		0x02
#define	LCD_CMD_MODE(i,s)	(0x04 | ((i)<<1) | (s))
#define	LCD_CMD_CONTROL(d,c,b)	(0x08 | ((d)<<2) | ((c)<<1) | (b))
#define	LCD_CMD_SHIFT(s,d)	(0x10 | ((s)<<3) | ((d)<<2) )
#define	LCD_CMD_FUNCSET(d,n,f)	(0x20 | ((d)<<4) | ((n)<<3) | ((f)<<2) )
#define	LCD_CMD_CGASET(a)	(0x40 | ((a) & 0x3F))
#define	LCD_CMD_DDASET(a)	(0x80 | (a) )

Obviously the above example is for 8 bit interface but hopefully You get the idea.

The usage of those would be something like:

// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
// Initialize the LCD display.
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
extern	void			LcdInit		( void ) {
	uint8_t	mycount;

	// Our first assumption is that we have a LCD module in place
	__lib_lcd_exists_flag = 1;

	// First, set display interface - do this three times
	for	( mycount = 0; mycount < 3; mycount++ ) {
		ApplicationLcdDelay( 10 );
		LcdCommand( LCD_CMD_FUNCSET(1,1,0) );
	}

	// Wait until the display is no more busy or we have ran out
	// of time which means that we do not have the display
	mycount = 0;
	while	( (LcdBusy()) && ( mycount < 50 ) ) {
		ApplicationLcdDelay( 1 );
	}
	if	( LcdBusy() ) {
		__lib_lcd_exists_flag = 0;
		return;
	}
	// Next step funnily enough is to switch the display on...
	// We don't activate cursor or blinking. This is done
	// later is the host application wishes to do that.
	LcdWait( 5 );
	LcdCommand( LCD_CMD_CONTROL(1,0,0) );

	// Clear the display. Takes some milliseconds to finish
	LcdClear();

	// Set LCD entry mode
	LcdWait( 5 );
	LcdCommand( LCD_CMD_MODE(1,0) );

	// So we are good so far. Now, let's write an address
	// and try to read it back
	// If we get the same address then we propably have a LCD
	LcdWait( 5 );
	LcdCommand( LCD_CMD_DDASET(5) );
	LcdWait( 5 );
	if	( LcdGetAddress() != 5 ) {
		__lib_lcd_exists_flag = 0;
	}
	else {
		__lib_lcd_exists_flag = 1;
		LcdCommand( LCD_CMD_DDASET(0) );
	}
}