User`s guide

MPLAB

IDE User’s Guide

1.10 MPLAB IDE UPDATES AND VERSION NUMBERING

MPLAB IDE is an evolving program with thousands of users. Microchip is continually

designing new microcontrollers with new features. Many new MPLAB IDE features

come from customer requests and from internal usage. Continued new designs and the

release of new microcontrollers ensure that MPLAB IDE will continue to evolve.

MPLAB IDE is scheduled for a version update approximately every four months to add

new device support and new features. Additional “interim” releases are produced in

between these major releases. The version numbering scheme for MPLAB IDE reflects

whether it is a major production release or an interim release. If the version number

ends in a zero, e.g., MPLAB IDE v7.00, v7.10 or v7.20, this identifies a major produc-

tion release. If the version number ends with a digit other than zero, e.g., v7.11, v7.22

or v7.55, this identifies an interim release. Interim releases are typically provided for

early adopters of new devices or components, for quick critical fixes or for previews of

new features. These interim releases, although based on production releases that are

fully tested, may have components that are not as fully tested, and therefore these

releases are not recommended for rigorous design use. It is advised that production

releases be used for development work, unless a new device or component is being

used or a particular problem has been fixed in an interim release that enables more pro-

ductive use of MPLAB IDE.

Each new release of the MPLAB IDE software has new features implemented, so the

printed documentation will inevitably “lag” the on-line help. The on-line help is the best

source for any questions about MPLAB IDE.

To be notified of updates to MPLAB IDE and its components, subscribe to the

Development Tools section of the Customer Change Notification service on