6.5.3 Speed Up MPLAB X IDE
If MPLAB X IDE is operating too slowly, consider the suggestions in the follow sections.
Increase the Computer Heap
You can modify the amount of memory allocated to MPLAB X IDE in the file mplab_ide.conf. We recommend you back up this file before you start editing it. If you change the contents of this file, the changes will be operative the next time you run MPLAB X IDE.
- Windows OS - C:\Program Files\Microchip\MPLABX\vx.xx\mplab_platform\etc
- Linux OS - /opt/microchip/mplabx/vx.xx/mplab_platform/etc
- macOS - /Applications/microchip/mplabx/vx.xx/Contents/Resources/mplab_platform/etc
where vx.xx is the MPLAB X IDE version.
The following line contains the current default values, formatted for ease of reading:
default_options="-J-Dmymicrochip.connect=false
-J-Dstatistics.connect=false
-J-Dprism.allowhidpi=false
--branding mplab
-J-Dcrownking.stream.verbosity=very-quiet
-J-Xss2m -J-Xms256m -J-Xmx4026m
-J-Dapple.awt.graphics.UseQuartz=true
-J-XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC
-J-XX:+CMSClassUnloadingEnabled
-J-Dapt.limit.expanded.params=1000
-J-Dplugin.manager.check.interval=EVERY_STARTUP
-J-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true
-J-Dorg.netbeans.modules.extbrowser.UseDesktopBrowse=true
-J-Dnetbeans.importclass=org.netbeans.upgrade.AutoUpgrade"
The bolded areas are:
-Xms256m |
Tells the JVM to start with at least 256 MB for the heap. |
-Xmx4026m |
Tells the JVM to allocate as much as 4026 MB for the heap, but no more. |
In general, the most important area is -Xmx4026m
; this
limits the maximum amount of heap that MPLAB X IDE will use. It
might seem that having a large amount of heap could be helpful. However, memory used
forMPLAB X IDE means less memory for other applications and
system functions.
You can monitor how much memory the IDE is using by enabling the Memory monitor. Either right click on an empty space in the toolbar area and select memory, or select .
The upper number will not go above 4026 MB unless you change the value
in mplab_ide.conf
. It is recommended that you change the value by
setting in 128 MB increments. If you have a lot of memory, you can increase it by more
than 128 MB, but make sure you leave enough memory for the rest of the system.
Change Debug Window Usage
If using debug tools slows down MPLAB X IDE, try the following:
- Only display windows you need to view. The MPLAB X IDE debugger will examine each open window when a debug tool is used.
- Reduce updates in the Stack window during debug stepping. In the (MPLAB X IDE > Preferences in macOS) window, , check Disable auto refresh for call stack view during debug sessions and On mouse over structure and array expressions, evaluate integral members only.