4.1 Installation and Setup

In MPLAB X IDE, refer to the online Help file “Getting Started with MPLAB X IDE” for details on installing the IDE and setting up the debugger to work with it.

In summary:

  1. Install MPLAB X IDE.
    Tip: Tutorial topics are available in the MPLAB X IDE online Help that is accessible from the main menu bar Help > Tool Help Contents > MPLAB X IDE Help >Tutorial.
  2. Connect the MPLAB Snap to the computer and allow the default USB drivers to install. For more information on target connections, see Operation.
    Important: The debugger cannot power a target board.
  3. Select which language toolsuite/compiler you want to use for development and install it on your computer.
  4. Launch MPLAB X IDE and open the online Help (Help > Tool Help Contents > MPLAB X IDE Help) for detailed instructions on creating and setting up a new project and running and debugging code.

Items of note:

  1. Each debugger contains a unique identifier which, when first installed, will be recognized by the operating system, regardless of the computer USB port used.
  2. MPLAB X IDE operation connects to the hardware tool at run time (Run or Debug Run). To always be connected to the hardware tool, go to Tools > Options, Embedded button, Generic Settings tab, and check the “Maintain active connection to hardware tool” check box.
  3. Configuration bits can only be viewed in the Configuration Bits window. To set them in code, select Window > Target Memory Views. Then select “Configuration Bits” form the Memory drop list and select “Read/Write” from the Format drop list to enable access to the settings.