6.3.2 Loadable Projects, Files and Symbols

Use loadable projects and files to combine projects, combine hex files, combine projects and hex files or replace the project hex file. The Hexmate application is used to merge project or loaded hex files into one file. For more information on using Hexmate, see MPLAB XC8 documentation or Hexmate User’s Guide (DS-50003033) on the MPLAB XC Compilers webpage.

Use loadable symbols to load debug symbols during a production build or program, as when using RTDM with DMCI, Motor Control applications, etc.

Loadable projects or files are useful for creating combined bootloader and application code. See 6.3.3 Loadable Projects and Files: Bootloaders.

The combinations of current projects and loadables are listed below.

Table 6-1. Loadable Combinations
Current Project	Loadable	Caveat
Application, Existing MPLAB IDE v8, Library	Application	None
	Hex file	None
	ELF or COF file	Can debug, but not build. An error will be displayed in the Output window.
Prebuilt (Hex)	Hex file	No auto checking for overlapping memory areas. Can debug, but not build. Build button will be disabled.
Prebuilt (Hex)	ELF or COF file
Prebuilt (ELF or COF)	Hex file
Prebuilt (ELF or COF)	ELF or COF file

The options are listed below.

Table 6-2. Loadable Options
Add Loadable Project(s)	Load one or more existing projects into your current project. When you build your current project, all projects will be built and the hex files will be combined into one. All debug files will be combined as well (ELF or COF).
Add Loadable File(s)	Load one or more existing hex files into your current project. When you build your current project, the hex file will be combined with the other hex files into one file. Note: You will no longer be able to debug the project that contains hex file(s). Use Loadable Projects for debugging.
Add Alternate File	Load an alternate hex file to be used. This options provides a post-build step where you may copy or move your project hex file to another location, use a tool such as Hexmate to merge your file with another hex file, and then load the file back into the IDE.