> Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2014 08:07:24 +0100 > From: Richard Gray <rich...@reallyrathergood.com> > Subject: [Sdcc-user] PIC programmer support > To: sdcc-user@lists.sourceforge.net > Message-ID: <201406070807.24082.rich...@reallyrathergood.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi Folks, > > I'm sorry that this is a bit off-topic, but if ever there was an audience to > ask this question of, if would have to be here. > > Quite a few years ago, I did a project using a mid-range PIC16F84A - mostly > about digital inputs and outputs. The project worked perfectly, but I used a > programmer from Microchip called a PICstart. I used the supplied software on > Windows, which drove the programmer via an RS232C port. > > I would like to do the same sort of thing over again using the same > programmer > if at all possible, but 100% Linux (OpenSuse as it happens). Can anyone > comment > upon this, and can anyone point me in the right direction for some software > that could utilise this rather old programmer? Obviously I want to use SDCC > with all this! > > I've used SDCC quite successfully for Z80 targets; but that used an S4 EPROM > programmer simply using minicom via RS232, and that was dead-easy. > > Also, I'm mildly interested in a GUI Integrated Development Environment > (although I'm just as happy with text-mode and Curses-type interfaces), and > would appreciate a steer if anyone can offer some suggestions? > > Thanks in anticipation! > > -- > Richard. > PGP Key-id: 0x5AB3D350 > > The bigger the theory the better.
You actually have quite a few choices. As mentioned earlier, PIKlab supports the ICD2. Given that the newest stuff from Microchip no longer supports the ICD2, you might find a deal on one. The ICD2 can be used over serial or USB, and unlike Tait-style programmers popular back in the F84 days, doesn't require a "real" serial port. PIKlab also supports PICkit2, but I have never had a lot of luck with that combination. If your computer is fairly beefy, the way to go is with MPLAB-X. The improvement in features is immense. It supports the PICkit 2, 3 and ICD 3 (but not the ICD2). On Linux, as you know, there are none of the Windows hassles with USB drivers. The PICkit 3 is current and pretty cheap. It attaches to your project via a 6 pin header which I find quite convenient. The ICD 3 is pricey and by default, uses an RJ12, which is kind of a pain on perfboard. However, it is no big deal to make up a cable that will connect to a PICkit header so you get the best of both worlds. The ICD 3 is way faster than the PICkit. On smaller parts you only really see it when debugging, as opposed to programming, but on larger parts it can make a difference. On some of the newer PICs the difference is huge. I can't emphasize enough what a huge win the ICD 3 + MPLAB-X is over PIKlab (although I do like that PIKlab is open source). It takes a while to explore all the little nooks and crannies of MPLAB-X but once you do it is amazing. And with the ICD 3, the debugging features of MPLAB-X really shine. Not that they are not available with PICkit, its just that the lags during debugging are noticeable. *AND*, if you really like old school, MPLAB-X creates an honest to gosh Make file, so from, for example, emacs, M-x Compile builds your project as slick as can be. And they even provide hooks in the Makefile so you can do a little sed magic during the build if that is your inclination. Yeah, I hate that it's not FOSS, but I really like MPLAB-X. And IMO, the ICD 3 is worth the long dollar. Kinda like when I broke down and bought a Weller WD1, I wondered why I had been denying myself so long. --McD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ HPCC Systems Open Source Big Data Platform from LexisNexis Risk Solutions Find What Matters Most in Your Big Data with HPCC Systems Open Source. Fast. Scalable. Simple. Ideal for Dirty Data. Leverages Graph Analysis for Fast Processing & Easy Data Exploration http://p.sf.net/sfu/hpccsystems _______________________________________________ Sdcc-user mailing list Sdcc-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/sdcc-user
