Post by thread:[PIC]: Mplab alteratives?

I've been lurking for a while and this is my firt post, please be gentle. :-) I might be alone here, but I don't like Mplab. I find the whole process to be bloated and cumbersome. I was hoping some of you might be able to point me to an alternative. I was thinking about using a full featured, syntax highlighting editor (maybee PFE?) with a command line compiler (I have CCS) and a bootloader (16f87xA parts). Ultimatly the development model would be more like paralax's basic stamp software. Thoughts? Options? Thanks Denny Esterline -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

> I might be alone here, but I don't like Mplab. Don't feel alone. > I was thinking about using a full featured, syntax highlighting editor > (maybee PFE?) with a command line compiler (I have CCS) and a > bootloader (16f87xA parts). So what's the problem? NB the MPLAB package has a command-line assembler (MPASM), so you don't need to go to C (not that I want to dicourage yoy, I'm a HLL proponent, although I am addicted to another one). NB2 the PC software for my Wisp628 has (beside a simple GUI interface) a command line interface (I seldom use it otherwise). And it will also interface to my WLoader bootloader. Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

Denny Esterline wrote: > I might be alone here, but I don't like Mplab. I find the whole process to > be bloated and cumbersome. I was hoping some of you might be able to point > me to an alternative. Hm, "bloated and cumbersome" might be strong words. Or is it the concept of assembly programming that is the problem ? Anyway, I'v just started a project using UltraEdit, the deleopment environment from Embedinc, the command line tools from the MPLAB kit (MPASMWIN and MPLINK), and Wisp628/XWisp for the programming. Works fine so far. I'v done a few projects in the MPLAB IDE before, and UltraEdit is far better IMHO. And by using the user configurable "User Tools", I get "compile" and "flash" as two buttons on the toolbar in UltraEdit. Jan-Erik -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

I'll agree with you ... somewhat. I like the command-line version, and actually do this with gpasm under Linux. Edit with "vi", compile with "gpasm", and program with "pp". There is a command-line version for Windows that comes with MPLAB. However, I occassionally go back to MPLAB IDE under Win2k because of the cool simulator. Cheers, -Neil. On Thursday 31 July 2003 13:27, Denny Esterline scribbled: {Quote hidden}> I've been lurking for a while and this is my firt post, please be gentle. > > :-) > > I might be alone here, but I don't like Mplab. I find the whole process to > be bloated and cumbersome. I was hoping some of you might be able to point > me to an alternative. > > I was thinking about using a full featured, syntax highlighting editor > (maybee PFE?) with a command line compiler (I have CCS) and a bootloader > (16f87xA parts). Ultimatly the development model would be more like > paralax's basic stamp software. > > Thoughts? Options? > > Thanks > Denny Esterline -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads

pic microcontroller discussion list <> wrote on Thursday, July 31, 2003 8:20 PM: > I'll agree with you ... somewhat. I like the command-line version, > and actually do this with gpasm under Linux. Edit with "vi", compile > with "gpasm", and program with "pp". 'Me too'... except I program with my Picstart+ with picp. I type faster than I point'n'click, so when I want to download new code from the editor, I type <Esc>:mak<Return>, and off it goes. There is a button on the toolbar to do the same. I'm not sure when PIC assembler made it to the huge list of syntax highlighted options in gvim (it wasn't there when I started on linux!), but it's there now! > However, I occassionally go back to MPLAB IDE under Win2k because of > the cool simulator. One of the things I _really_ _really_ like about coding PIC assembler in linux is that I get to use gpsim, I _far_ prefer it to MPLAB's simulator, even though it's not 'finished'. gpsim is much (much much _much_!) faster, more useful windows (eg the pinout picture), and still loads of functionality I've not even tried (LCD module etc look fascinating, but I haven't had the time to try them out). Nigel -- Nigel Orr, Design Engineer spam_OUTnigelTakeThisOuTaxoninstruments.co.uk Axon Instruments Ltd., Wardes Road,Inverurie,Aberdeenshire,UK,AB51 3TT Tel:+44 1467 622332 Fax:+44 1467 625235 http://www.axoninstruments.co.uk -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

> -----Original Message----- > From: Nigel Orr [SMTP:.....nigelKILLspam@spam@AXONINSTRUMENTS.CO.UK] > Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 10:04 AM > To: PICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU > Subject: Re: [PIC]: Mplab alteratives? > > One of the things I _really_ _really_ like about coding PIC assembler in > linux is that I get to use gpsim, I _far_ prefer it to MPLAB's simulator, > even though it's not 'finished'. > > gpsim is much (much much _much_!) faster, more useful windows (eg the > pinout picture), and still loads of functionality I've not even tried (LCD > module etc look fascinating, but I haven't had the time to try them out). > Have you tried the 32 bit MPLAB simulator? Still doesn't have all the bells and whistles of gpsim, but it at least runs at the decent speed. Conversely, HiTech's "HiTide" simulator has all the bells and whistles, but runs like cold treacle if you try to use them. Perhaps because it's written totally in Java, or maybe just because it's not fully finished. Mike ======================================================================= This e-mail is intended for the person it is addressed to only. The information contained in it may be confidential and/or protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you must not make any use of this information, or copy or show it to any person. Please contact us immediately to tell us that you have received this e-mail, and return the original to us. Any use, forwarding, printing or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. No part of this message can be considered a request for goods or services. ======================================================================= Any questions about Bookham's E-Mail service should be directed to .....postmasterKILLspam.....bookham.com. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

I was wondering whether or not someone has ever contemplated the idea of developing applications for the PIC from the Eclipse platform (http://www.eclipse.org). Since it's relatively easy to write a plug-in for Eclipse, I wonder if something like this has been done: I'd switch in no-time if anything like that was available, and programming the PIC through the ICD(2) could be done in a reasonably straightforward way. Regards, Martijn Amsterdam, The Netherlands Michael Rigby-Jones wrote: {Quote hidden}>>One of the things I _really_ _really_ like about coding PIC assembler in >>linux is that I get to use gpsim, I _far_ prefer it to MPLAB's simulator, >>even though it's not 'finished'. >> >>gpsim is much (much much _much_!) faster, more useful windows (eg the >>pinout picture), and still loads of functionality I've not even tried (LCD >>module etc look fascinating, but I haven't had the time to try them out). >> > > Have you tried the 32 bit MPLAB simulator? Still doesn't have all the bells > and whistles of gpsim, but it at least runs at the decent speed. > Conversely, HiTech's "HiTide" simulator has all the bells and whistles, but > runs like cold treacle if you try to use them. Perhaps because it's written > totally in Java, or maybe just because it's not fully finished. > > Mike -- Martijn van Aartrijk M.Sc. Technical Director - RoboSail systems B.V. T. +31-(0)299-471602 F. +31-(0)299-438877 E. EraseMEmartijnspam_OUTTakeThisOuTrobosail.com W. http://www.robosail.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

Any of the free editors will do some of what you describe. UltraEdit CodeDesigner MCStudio (http://www.mecanique.co.uk/code-studio/index.html) This last one is popular with the PicBasic crowd since it does what you describe and makes an easy interface similar to the Basic Stamps. In fact it has a one button compile and program using your programmer or a bootloader. I use it with PicBasic but I'm sure it will work with CCS C. What MPLAB does offer is ability to step through your code and watch the registers,etc. MCStudio offers that as a costly add-on for Flash parts. The MBasic compiler from BasicMicro offers this for all PICs. They both offer BASIC command step by step execution in-circuit. I can write, compile, program, and run in debug mode step by step or run to breakpoints. Its great. This has replaced MPLAB for me. --- Denny Esterline <firmwarespam_OUTTDS.NET> wrote: {Quote hidden}> I've been lurking for a while and this is my firt post, please be > gentle. > :-) > > > I might be alone here, but I don't like Mplab. I find the whole > process to > be bloated and cumbersome. I was hoping some of you might be able to > point > me to an alternative. > > I was thinking about using a full featured, syntax highlighting > editor > (maybee PFE?) with a command line compiler (I have CCS) and a > bootloader > (16f87xA parts). Ultimatly the development model would be more like > paralax's basic stamp software. > > Thoughts? Options? > > Thanks > Denny Esterline > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: > [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads ===== Chuck Hellebuyck Electronic Products @spam@chuckKILLspamelproducts.com **** Home of the BasicBoard Development Platform********* Great for learning, teaching and developing electronic, programmable robotics and other embedded applications. Starter packages from $149.95. http://www.elproducts.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.