# Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12: A Powerful and Easy-to-Use IDE for PIC Microcontrollers
If you are looking for a way to develop and debug your PIC projects, you might want to check out Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12. This is a visual Integrated Development Environment (IDE) with In Circuit Debugging (ICD) capability designed specifically for PICBASIC and PICBASIC PRO compilers .
## What is Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12?
Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 is the latest version of the popular IDE for PIC microcontrollers. It allows you to write, edit, compile, and debug your PICBASIC and PICBASIC PRO code in a user-friendly interface. You can also use it to program and test your PIC devices using a variety of programmers and ICD tools .
Some of the features of Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 are:
- More ICD Model Files than the standard version
- An ICD Model Creator Wizard - create your own ICD Models!
- Single commercial and educational license
- MicroCode Loader Software
- Syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, and code explorer
- Integrated serial terminal, oscilloscope, and logic analyzer
- Support for multiple compilers and programmers
## Why Use Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12?
Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 is a great tool for anyone who wants to create amazing PIC projects using PICBASIC and PICBASIC PRO. It simplifies the development process by providing a comprehensive and intuitive environment for coding and debugging. You can easily write your code, compile it, and upload it to your PIC device with a few clicks. You can also use the ICD feature to monitor and modify the variables and registers of your PIC device in real time.
Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 is compatible with most of the PIC microcontrollers available in the market. It supports a wide range of programmers, such as ME Labs Serial Programmer, ME Labs USB Programmer, melabs EPIC Programmer, melabs EPIC Plus Programmer, melabs Serial Port Programmer, melabs U2 USB Programmer, Microchip PICkit2 & PICkit3.
Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 is also affordable and easy to use. You can get it for only 36.00 (ex VAT) from Mecanique UK. You can also download a free version of Microcode Studio from ME Labs website. The free version has some limitations, such as fewer ICD Model Files and no ICD Model Creator Wizard.
## How to Get Started with Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12?
To get started with Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12, you need to have a Windows PC, a PIC microcontroller, a programmer or an ICD tool, and a PICBASIC or PICBASIC PRO compiler. You can download the latest version of Microcode Studio Plus from Mecanique UK website. You can also download the free version of Microcode Studio from ME Labs website.
Once you have installed Microcode Studio Plus on your PC, you can launch it and create a new project. You can choose the type of project (PICBASIC or PICBASIC PRO), the target device (PIC microcontroller), the compiler (PICBASIC or PICBASIC PRO), and the programmer (ME Labs Serial Programmer, ME Labs USB Programmer, etc.). You can then write your code in the editor window, using the syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, and code explorer features to help you.
When you are ready to compile your code, you can click on the Compile button or press F9. This will generate a hex file that you can upload to your PIC device using the programmer or the ICD tool. You can also click on the Program button or press F10 to compile and program your device in one step.
If you want to debug your code using the ICD feature, you need to have an ICD tool connected to your PC and your PIC device. You can click on the Debug button or press F8 to enter the ICD mode. This will open a new window where you can see the variables and registers of your device. You can also use the serial terminal, oscilloscope, and logic analyzer tools to monitor and analyze your device's behavior.
## Conclusion
Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 is a powerful and easy-to-use IDE for PIC microcontrollers. It allows you to write, edit, compile, and debug your PICBASIC and PICBASIC PRO code in a user-friendly interface. You can also use it to program and test your PIC devices using a variety of programmers and ICD tools. It supports most of the PIC microcontrollers available in the market and has many features that make it a great tool for anyone who wants to create amazing PIC projects.
If you are interested in getting Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 or learning more about it, you can visit Mecanique UK website or ME Labs website. You can also check out some other resources online that can help you with your PIC development.
Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12
## How to Use Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 to Create a PIC Project
To use Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 to create a PIC project, you need to follow these steps:
1. Launch Microcode Studio Plus and create a new project. Choose the type of project (PICBASIC or PICBASIC PRO), the target device (PIC microcontroller), the compiler (PICBASIC or PICBASIC PRO), and the programmer (ME Labs Serial Programmer, ME Labs USB Programmer, etc.).
2. Write your code in the editor window, using the syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, and code explorer features to help you. You can also use the keyword based context sensitive help to get more information about the commands and functions of PICBASIC and PICBASIC PRO.
3. Compile your code by clicking on the Compile button or pressing F9. This will generate a hex file that you can upload to your PIC device using the programmer or the ICD tool. You can also click on the Program button or press F10 to compile and program your device in one step.
4. Debug your code using the ICD feature by clicking on the Debug button or pressing F8. This will open a new window where you can see the variables and registers of your device. You can also use the serial terminal, oscilloscope, and logic analyzer tools to monitor and analyze your device's behavior.
## How to Use Microcode Loader Software to Program Your PIC Device
Microcode Loader Software is a free bootloader application that comes with Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12. It enables you to program most of the PIC 16F87x (A) and 18Fxxx (x) series of microcontrollers without the need of a hardware programmer. To use Microcode Loader Software to program your PIC device, you need to follow these steps:
1. Connect your PIC device to your PC using a serial cable or a USB cable. Make sure that your PIC device has a bootloader firmware installed on it. You can download the bootloader firmware from Mecanique UK website.
2. Launch Microcode Loader Software and select the COM port that your PIC device is connected to. You can also adjust the baud rate and other settings if needed.
3. Browse for the hex file that you want to program your PIC device with. You can use any hex file that is compatible with your PIC device, not only those generated by Microcode Studio Plus.
4. Click on the Program button and wait for the programming process to complete. You can see the progress and status messages on the screen.
5. Click on the Run button to start running your program on your PIC device.
## How to Create Your Own ICD Models Using ICD Model Creator Wizard
ICD Model Creator Wizard is a feature of Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 that allows you to create your own ICD models for new devices. An ICD model is a file that contains information about the memory map, registers, and variables of a PIC device that is used by the ICD feature of Microcode Studio Plus. To create your own ICD models using ICD Model Creator Wizard, you need to follow these steps:
1. Launch Microcode Studio Plus and click on Tools > ICD Model Creator Wizard.
2. Select the type of device (PICBASIC or PICBASIC PRO) and the target device (PIC microcontroller) that you want to create an ICD model for.
3. Enter a name and a description for your ICD model and click Next.
4. Specify the memory map of your device by entering the start address, end address, and size of each memory section (Program Memory, Data Memory, EEPROM Memory, etc.). You can also import an existing memory map from an MPASM file or an MPLAB X project file if available.
5. Specify the registers of your device by entering their names, addresses, sizes, bit names, bit masks, and default values. You can also import an existing register list from an MPASM file or an MPLAB X project file if available.
6. Specify the variables of your device by entering their names, addresses, sizes, types, and default values. You can also import an existing variable list from an MPASM file or an MPLAB X project file if available.
7. Review your ICD model and click Finish to save it as an XML file in the MicroCode Studio Plus folder.
## What are the Benefits of Using Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12?
Using Microcode Studio Plus 5 0 12 has many benefits for PIC developers. Some of them are:
- It saves you time and effort by providing a comprehensive and intuitive environment for coding and debugging. You don't need to switch between different tools or windows to write, compile, program, and test your PIC projects.
- It enhances your productivity and creativity by offering many features that make your code more readable, organized, and error-free. You can use the syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, and code explorer features to help you write your code faster and easier. You can also use the keyword based context sensitive help to get more information about the commands and functions of PICBASIC and PICBASIC PRO.
- It improves your learning and understanding of PIC programming by allowing you to see how your code works on your PIC device in real time. You can use the ICD feature to monitor and modify the variables and registers of your device while it is running. You can also use the serial terminal, oscilloscope, and logic analyzer tools to monitor and analyze your device's behavior.
- It supports most of the PIC microcontrollers available in