User`s guide

MPLAB

IDE

USER’S GUIDE

Chapter 7. Integrated Language Tools

7.1 INTRODUCTION

MPLAB IDE is designed to work with many Microchip and third party language tools.

These tools take your application code (written in assembly, C or BASIC language) and

turn it into executable code that may be programmed on your selected Microchip

device.

For information on software/hardware development tools supported by MPLAB IDE,

see Chapter 8. “Integrated Software/Hardware Tools”.

• Language Toolsuite Overview

• Microchip Language Tools

• Third Party Language Tools

7.2 LANGUAGE TOOLSUITE OVERVIEW

MPLAB IDE supports many language toolsuites. Integrated into MPLAB IDE is the

Microchip MPASM Toolsuite, but many others can be used, including the Microchip

C17, C18 and C30 Toolsuites, as well as language tools from HI-TECH, IAR, CCS,

microEngineering Labs and Byte Craft. These are integrated into MPLAB IDE in two

ways: using “plug-ins” designed by the manufacturer, and by older style “.MTC” files

that can be customized for any language toolsuite.

Language Suite Plug-Ins

Vendors of language tools can write a “plug-in” that can be installed into MPLAB IDE

to provide custom dialogs to access the various tool build options. This is the preferred

method of support.

.MTC File Interface

A language tool can be integrated in a generic manner using a special file with the

extension .mtc. These files are then integrated into a dialog to provide checkbox

access to the various build options of the language tool. Using these files, most of the

features of the language toolsuite can be controlled, but all may not be available.