User`s guide

MPLAB

IDE User’s Guide

1.2 THE DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

The process for writing an application is often described as a development cycle, since

it is rare that all the steps from design to implementation can be done flawlessly the first

time. More often code is written, tested and then modified in order to produce an appli-

cation that performs correctly. The Integrated Development Environment allows the

embedded systems design engineer to progress through this cycle without the distrac-

tion of switching among an array of tools. By using MPLAB IDE, all the functions are

integrated, allowing the engineer to concentrate on completing the application without

the interruption of separate tools and different modes of operation.

FIGURE 1-5: THE DESIGN CYCLE

MPLAB IDE is a “wrapper” that coordinates all the tools from a single graphical user

interface, usually automatically. For instance, once code is written, it can be converted

to executable instructions and downloaded into a microcontroller to see how it works.

In this process multiple tools are needed: an editor to write the code, a project manager

to organize files and settings, a compiler or assembler to convert the source code to

machine code and some sort of hardware or software that either connects to a target

microcontroller or simulates the operation of a microcontroller.

Download Code to

Debugger

Analyze/Debug

Code

Compile/Assemble/

Link Code

Edit/Create/Design

Source Code