Introduction
This pre-training assumes very little to no MPLAB® Code Configurator (MCC) experience and uses very basic projects such as controlling an LED. More experienced developers may find this type of project trivial, but it delivers the main training and that is learning how to use MCC to develop applications.
Prerequisites
There are three main pieces you will need in order to get started - software, hardware, and documentation. We'll cover each of these in detail here.
You will need to understand how to use the MPLAB® X IDE. This is the software application used to develop code, compile the code and program the device on the development board. Use the "MPLAB X IDE: Getting Started and Programming an MCU Application" training to familiarize yourself with MPLAB X.
MPLAB® X IDE
MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a free application that includes:
- Full-Featured Editor
- Direct Control of the Compiler
- Direct Control of the Programming Tools
- Debug Capability with Breakpoint, Single Step Control, and Data Display
- Total Project Organization through a Simple Folder System
MPLAB X will become the main software interface you will use to develop your Microchip 8-bit PIC® MCU applications.
MPLAB® XC8
This training assumes you have knowledge of Embedded C Programming. The MPLAB® XC8 C compiler supports all of Microchip’s PIC® devices. This training will use MPLAB® XC8, which is the recommended compiler for 8-bit PIC MCUs. Use the "Fundamentals of the C Programming Language" training to familiarize yourself with Embedded C programming.
MPLAB® Code Configurator
You should be familiar with the MPLAB® Code Configurator (MCC). It is an MPLAB® X IDE plugin tool. It is a free, graphical programming environment that generates C Language code to be inserted into your project. It enables and configures a rich set of peripherals and functions specific to your application.
This training will introduce MCC and how to configure peripherals and generate C code without checking on the device datasheet.