Create New PIC Project

Quick Start for Embedded Development in MPLAB X IDETo quickly get started with MPLAB X IDE, follow the steps below:l Preliminariesl Creating a New Project - All development within MPLAB X IDE requires a project.l Adding Source Code to the Projectl Verifying Language Tool Locations and Building the Projectl Verifying Hardware Tool Communicationl Debugging the Project Outputl Changing Hardware Tool or Compiler Properties.l Building and Debugging – A Special Notel Getting More HelpSee details below.PreliminariesMac Users: You need to install Xcode or your project will not build. See /technologies/xcode.html.Windows Users: Ensure you have installed the correct USB drivers for your hardware tool, if you are using one. Refer to “MPLAB IDE v8 Users – IMPORTANT”.Creating a New ProjectCreate a new project in one of two ways:l Select "Create New Project" fromthe "Learn & Discover" tab ofthe MPLAB X Start Page.l Select File>New Project fromthe menu bar.1. A project wizard will open to help walk you through the creation of your project. Select "Microchip Embedded" fromCategories and "C/ASM Standalone Application" from Projects . Click Next .2. Select the device you want to use in your project. Click Next.3.Select the Hardware Tool you want to use to either debug your application or program your target device. Click Next.4.Select the compiler toolchain (toolsuite) you want to use to build the output image of your project. Click Next.5.Provide a project name and directory where you want the project to reside. Click Finish.Your project should now be visible in the Project window.You have now created a new embedded project. Every embedded project contains the following items that are essential in the development of embedded targets:1.Group of files to build a final embedded image2.Device the resultant image will be built forpiler to use to build the image4.Hardware Tool to be used for debugging/programming the target deviceAlthough it is possible to edit single files without using a project, any development requiring a build or hardware tool activities has to operate through the embedded project.Adding Source Code to the ProjectNow that you have created the project you can add existing or create new source files within the project.Select File>New File to launch a File wizard.1.The project to which the new file will be added is listed in the Project field. Select the file type and click Next. the file and the location at which to store the file. Click Finish.A new file will be created, opened in the editor and placed into the project identified. Drag and drop the file to place it in the Source Files virtual folder.You can also add existing source files or create new files from the right click (context) menu.Verifying Language Tool Locations and Building the ProjectOnce you have your source created and are ready to build the project, ensure that the selected language tools are pointing to the correct locations.For Mac OS: Access the build tools from mplab_ide>/preferences from the main menu bar.For Other OSs: Access the build tools from Tools>Options>Embedded>Build Tools.Ensure the directories listed are pointing to the tools you intend to use. If there is nothing in the field you may browse to the required directory. If your tool set is not listed in the left hand text box you may Add another toolsuite and provide the name of your choice:Base directoryC CompilerAssemblerMakeFor embedded projects you do not need to fill in the C++, Fortran or debugger paths. Close the dialog (click OK) once the settings are verified.You can now build your source code by right clicking on your project in the Project tab and selecting “Build”. Correct any compiler or build errors that occur. Once you have a Build Successful you are ready to debug the code in your device.Verifying Hardware Tool CommunicationUnder Windows OS only, ensure that the USB device drivers are configured correctly for MPLAB X IDE. To do this you can use a switcher utility. The switcher directory is under the mplab_ide installation and can be run from the command line or through batch files. The batch files are correct if the MPLAB IDE v8 and the MPLAB X IDE installed locations are the default locations. If the location of the installations are changed, the batch files will need to be edited to update the correct location of your installation.Here is a screen shot of the Device manager under My Computer>Properties>Hardware>Device Manager.The USB device drivers used for MPLAB X IDE must be of device type WinUSB.Debugging the Project OutputReturn back to the MPLAB X IDE and select Debug>Debug Project.The project will be re-built using make. The resulting image of your project will include a debug executive. The file will then be programmed down onto the device, and a debug session will be started.When running the application code on the device, you can pause and continue, step or step over, and set break points. When debug is complete, click Halt to stop the debug session.To start another session, select Debug>Debug Project again. make will check if a build is required and then the same action as above will be repeated.Changing Hardware Tool or Compiler Properties.To access the projects tool properties you can get to it from three different areas.1.Main menu: File>Properties2.Right click (context) menu: Projecttab, project name, Properties3.Configuration drop down in thetoolbar. Select “Customize”.From each project you can change the hardware tool properties or the compiler toolsuite properties for the image you are producing and debugging.Building and Debugging – A Special NoteWhen you select “Build” or “Clean and Build” you build a production image of the output. There is no debug image available. When you select Debug>Debug Project you build only a debug image, i.e., it is used only during your debug session.Therefore, do not sequentially select “Build”, Debug Project , “Build”, Debug Project , as this will cause a full make to occur every time.It is ONLY necessary to select Debug Project . This will invoke a make to only build the required files and add the required debug information in order to allow you to debug the silicon. If the build fails the debug session will also be aborted.Getting More HelpThis document has provided you a quick start setup of how to develop some embedded code under the MPLAB X IDE. For further assistance please refer to on-line help (Help>Help Contents ).Page 11 of 11Quick Start for MPLAB X IDE 2013-5-8file://F:\PIC IDE installfile\mplab_ide\mplab_ide\modules\docs\QuickStart.htm。