2.2 Device Support via Device Family Packs (DFPs)

Device support such as the default linker scripts, header files and include files are no longer packaged with MPLAB® XC-DSC C/C++ Compilers. These files are packaged in a "pack" known as a Device Family Pack (DFP). This means that part-support files are decoupled from an XC-DSC compiler toolchain release and can therefore be added and updated for bug fixes and improvements outside of a full XC-DSC compiler release. For a build, the DFP location is passed from an IDE to MPLAB® XC-DSC via the -mdfp=path option.

MPLAB® X IDE v5.30 and later - Pack Selection

Pack selection is a manual process.

When a project is opened in MPLAB X IDE v5.30 and later, the IDE will automatically look for DFP updates. If it finds a newer DFP version, it will notify you. Therefore you must choose whether to update or not.

If you want to use a specific DFP version, you can use the Pack Manager to search for and install that version. You can also download the latest DFP from the remote pack repository by visiting https://packs.download.microchip.com.

Packs can be located in the MPLAB X IDE install directory under packs, in the user directory under .mchp_packs, or in the remote pack repository.

MPLAB® for VS Code® - Pack Selection

Pack selection is an automatic process.

When a project is opened in MPLAB for VS Code, the IDE will automatically look for DFP updates. If it finds a newer DFP version, it will automatically update to the new DFP.

At this time, there is no UI to switch DFP versions or use downloaded packs.

Packs can be located in the user directory under .mchp_packs