5.12 Build a Project

Note: For MPLAB X IDE, it is not necessary to build the project first and then run or debug. Building is part of the run and debug processes. For initial development or major changes, however, you may want to make sure that the project builds before attempting to run or debug.

To build a project:

  • In the Projects window, right click on the project name and select Build. You may also select Clean and Build to remove intermediary files before building.
  • Click on the Build Project or Clean and Build Project toolbar icon.

Build progress will be visible in the Output window.

Available build functions are:

Table 5-4. Build Options on Toolbar Buttons
Button Icon Function Description
Build ProjectDesc* Make all the files in the project.
Build for Debugging ProjectDesc* Make all the files in the project and add a debug executive to the built image.
Build with PRO Comparison ProjectDesc* If you use an MPLAB XC C compiler in free mode, you can build in PRO mode as well and see a comparison output of differences, if any exist. See also Compiler Advisor in MPLAB X IDE User's Guide (DS-50003215).
Clean and Build ProjectDesc* Remove previous build files and make all the files in the project.
Clean and Build for Debugging ProjectDesc* Remove previous build files and make all the files in the project. Add a debug executive to the built image.
Clean and Build with PRO Comparison ProjectDesc* Remove previous build files and then Build with PRO Comparison.
* Project Description. For a selected project, the project name will be used, e.g., Build Project (MyProject). For a main project, the words Main Project will appear, e.g., Build Main Project.

To view errors in the Output window:

  1. Right click in the Output window and select Filter.
  2. In the Filter dialog, check Match Case and enter : error to show only errors in the Output window that stopped the build.
  3. Toggle the filter on and off using Ctrl + G keys.

See you language tool documentation for a discussion of errors.

To view checksum information:

Open the Dashboard window (see 8.5 Dashboard Display) to see the checksum after a build.