1.1 Installation and Toolchain

To install MPLAB X IDE, users need to download the appropriate installer from the Microchip website and follow the prompts. MPLAB X IDE is a NetBeans-based platform.

The toolchains for MPLAB X IDE must be installed separately because it is not bundled with the MPLAB installer. This provides flexibility to the user to install MPLAB XC8, MPLAB XC16 or MPLAB XC32-based compilers (or all the three compilers).

MPLAB XC8 supports all 8-bit PIC^® and AVR^® MCUs. MPLAB XC16 supports all 16-bit PIC MCUs and dsPIC^® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). MPLAB XC32/32++ supports all 32-bit PIC and SAM MCUs and MPUs.

Note: The toolchain installation is handled differently in Atmel Studio. The Atmel Studio installer package is bundled with toolchains for AVR, AVR32 and SAM devices, and users can select required toolchain while installing. Therefore unlike Atmel Studio, users must install the MPLAB XC8, MPLAB XC16, or MPLAB XC32 compilers separately.