MPLAB X IDE User’s Guide - Microchip Technology

1 MPLAB X IDE User s Guide MPLAB X IDE User s GuideNotice to CustomersImportant: All documentation becomes dated, and this manual is no exception. Microchip tools and documentationare constantly evolving to meet customer needs, so some actual dialogs and/or tool descriptions may differfrom those in this document. Please refer to our website ( ) to obtain the latestdocumentation are identified with a DS number. This number is located on the bottom of each page, in frontof the page number. The numbering convention for the DS number is DSXXXXXA , where XXXXX is thedocument number and A is the alphabetic revision level of the the most up-to-date information on development tools, see the MPLAB IDE online help.

2 Select theHelp menu, and then Help Content to open a list of available online help files. 2019 Microchip Technology Inc. User GuideDS-50002027E-page 1 Table of ContentsNotice to is MPLAB X IDE?.. Overview of Embedded Development of MPLAB X X IDE MPLAB X IDE X IDE Outside the You Installation JRE and MPLAB X the USB Device Drivers (for Hardware Tools).. to a Target (for Hardware Tools).. the Language the IDE and View the the MPLAB X Multiple Instances of the Multiple Versions of the using Startup and Setting Up the the the Example the Example Project in MPLAB X Project the the Through Variable Symbol Values I/O Device Memory (including Configuration Bits).

3 A 49 MPLAB X IDE User s Guide 2019 Microchip Technology Inc. User GuideDS-50002027E-page a New Changes to Project or Make Changes to Project Up or Change Debugger/Programmer Tool Up or Change Language Tool Language Tool Other Tool Files to a Build a Program Execution with Through Symbol Values Local Variable Values or Change Device Configuration Values in the Configuration Bits a with Device an Existing MPLAB X IDE an Existing MPLAB IDE v8 Projects, Files and Projects and Files: Atmel Studio 7 or Atmel START Embedded with Other Types of or Create Code Hardware or Language Project Folders and the the Disassembly the Call the Call the Dashboard Registers for the Project (I/O View).

4 Your Source Code using Local Source Code using a Revision Control on Code Development and Error MPLAB XC Compiler Free vs. PRO Plugin MPLAB X IDE User s Guide 2019 Microchip Technology Inc. User GuideDS-50002027E-page Tasks & Up MPLAB X Up Build with Multiple with Multiple Dual Core User Makefile Linked Resources for Source File with Third-Party Hardware Code an MPLAB X IDE Tool Connections and IDE in Red Code ++ Code Error Files and Window Window Window Window , File and Folder Name , File and Folder Project User Configuration an MPLAB IDE v8 Project Relative , Copying or Renaming a a Driver Installation System Platform X IDE MPLAB X IDE User s Guide 2019 Microchip Technology Inc.

5 User GuideDS-50002027E-page Out or Missing Items and X IDE Windows X IDE Windows Data Memory and Values Displayed in X IDE Windows and Items Breakpoint Stack Toolbars View Windows - 8- and 16-Bit Windows - 32-Bit Windows Associated Properties Options Window, Options Window, Windows and Specific Windows and Window Specific Settings GCC GCC PICC PICC-18 Microchip MPLAB X IDE User s Guide 2019 Microchip Technology Inc. User GuideDS-50002027E-page 5 Product Change Notification 313 Microchip Devices Code Protection 314 Quality Management 314 Worldwide Sales and MPLAB X IDE User s Guide 2019 Microchip Technology Inc.

6 User GuideDS-50002027E-page 61. What is MPLAB X IDE? MPLAB X IDE IS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM THAT IS USED TO DEVELOP APPLICATIONS FOR MICROCHIPMICROCONTROLLERS AND DIGITAL SIGNAL development tool is called an Integrated Development Environment, or IDE, because it provides a singleintegrated environment to develop code for embedded microcontrollers. MPLAB X IDE incorporates powerful toolsto help you discover, configure, develop, debug and qualify your embedded designs. MPLAB X IDE works seamlesslywith the MPLAB development ecosystem of software and tools, many of which are completely An Overview of Embedded SystemsAn embedded system is typically a design that uses the power of a small microcontroller, like the Microchip PIC orAVR microcontroller (MCU).

7 These microcontrollers combine a microprocessor unit (like the CPU in a personalcomputer) with some additional circuits called peripherals, plus some additional circuits, on the same chip to make asmall control module requiring few other external devices. This single device can then be embedded into otherelectronic and mechanical devices for low-cost digital Differences Between an Embedded Controller and a Personal ComputerThe main difference between an embedded controller and a personal computer is that the embedded controller isdedicated to one specific task or set of tasks. A personal computer is designed to run many different types ofprograms and to connect to many different external devices.

8 An embedded controller has a single program and, as aresult, can be made cheaply to include just enough computing power and hardware to perform that dedicated personal computer has a relatively expensive generalized central processing unit (CPU) at its heart with manyother external devices (memory, disk drives, video controllers, network interface circuits, etc.). An embedded systemhas a low-cost MCU for its intelligence, has many peripheral circuits on the same chip, and has relatively few , an embedded system is an invisible part, or sub-module of another product, such as a cordless drill,refrigerator or garage door opener. The controller in these products does a tiny portion of the function of the wholedevice.

9 The controller adds low-cost intelligence to some of the critical sub-systems in these example of an embedded system is a smoke detector. Its function is to evaluate signals from a sensor and soundan alarm if the signals indicate the presence of smoke. A small program in the smoke detector either runs in aninfinite loop, sampling the signal from the smoke sensor, or lies dormant in a low-power Sleep mode, beingawakened by a signal from the sensor. The program then sounds the alarm. The program would possibly have a fewother functions , such as a user test function, and a low battery a personal computer with a sensor and audio output could be programmed to do the same function, it wouldnot be a cost-effective solution (nor would it run on a nine-volt battery, unattended for years).

10 Embedded designs useinexpensive microcontrollers to put intelligence into the everyday things in our environment, such as smokedetectors, cameras, cell phones, appliances, automobiles, smart cards and security Components of a MicrocontrollerThe microcontroller (MCU) has on-chip program memory (Figure 1-1 or Figure 1-2) for the firmware, or codedinstructions, to run a program (Figure 1-3 or Figure 1-4). A Program Counter (PC) is used to address programmemory, including Reset and interrupt addresses. A hardware stack is used with call and return instructions in code,so it works with, but is not part of, program memory. Device data sheets describe the details of program memoryoperation, vectors and the stack.