Where's the software?

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Bob D.

New Member

• Jul 30, 2021

• #1

I just bought an MPLAB PICKIT4 debugger. There are no instructions or software in the box, not even a web page to find them. Also, I will need an assembler and/or C compiler. Some demo source code would be nice. I've always started a project from existing code, even if it has little to do with the current project. Any advice is appreciated.
BTW, the PIC I picked (ha-ha) is the 18F27Q10.

Bob D.

 

atferrari

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Jul 30, 2021

• #2

Win 10 here - MPLABX IDE 5.45 - Assembly pic-as 2.31. Enough to get working projects.

 

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augustinetez

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Jul 30, 2021

• #3

Unfortunately, you are going to be stuck with this for the PICKIT4 https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tools-tools-and-software/mplab-x-ide

Hope you've got plenty of hair left, you're going to need it

There's also free but crippled versions of C compilers available there as well.

 

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augustinetez

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Jul 30, 2021

• #4

I should have also said the standalone programming software for the PICKIT 4 is IPE, you should be able to select just that in the MPLABX install options.

 

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Pommie

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Jul 30, 2021

• #5

Just install MPLABX and XC8 (compiler). Once installed you can generate the config bits and a main.c.

The C compiler does not do any optimisation as it's free. When installing you get the option to start a free trial - decline it. Once your project is complete then start the free trial to optimise your code.

Mike.

 

Ian Rogers

User Extraordinaire

Forum Supporter

Most Helpful Member

• Jul 31, 2021

• #6

As augustinetez said... You only need the MPLABX IPE and the pickit 4 / 3 can be used like they used to be back with the pickit2...

It's like the old pickit 2 software but I think a bit more powerful

 

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tumbleweed

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Jul 31, 2021

• #7

The C compiler does not do any optimisation as it's free.

Click to expand...

Yes it does. It allows optimizations up to level -O2 in the free mode, which isn't too bad.

There's also free but crippled versions of C compilers available there as well.

Click to expand...

They're not really crippled... the only limitation of free mode is none of the advanced optimizations.

The nonsense you see about them purposely crippling the free compilers is, well, nonsense.
It could be better, but I find O2 quite acceptable in most situations.

 

Last edited: Jul 31, 2021

hexreader

Active Member

• Jul 31, 2021

• #8

I am just migrating to Microchip tool-chain with PIC18F47Q10.
... Same PIC, just with more pins.

Coming from a background of many years of amateur, fun, PIC programming experience with other C compiler.

Maybe I can help? I have no issues with XC8 or PICkit4. I like both.
No assembler code though... all C

Just ask....

 

Last edited: Jul 31, 2021