chipKIT® Development Platform

Inspired by Arduino™

embedXcode

Posted 2014-08-05 08:36:30 by Majenko

embedXcode: Use MPIDE with Apple Xcode

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The MPIDE is great and provides plug-and-play and instant gratification but, sometimes, complex sketches require a more powerful IDE. Also, some niceties are welcomed, as syntax colouring, line numbering, function highlighting, code-sense, template with parameters for a function, check-as-you-type, click-to-error, tool-tip texts, object browser, self documentation, version management, repository management, code snippets, Git repository management and even debugging...

I'm using Xcode because I own a MacBook. Xcode is flexible enough to deliver code-sense with just being provided the paths of the source libraries. And the main benefit is faster development.

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Modular Set of Makefiles

The paradigm is that a sketch consists on a standard C++ code, and thus processed accordingly. embedXcode requires the prior installation of the IDEs like MPIDE, as they include everything, including tool-chain, framework and utilities. embedXcode relies on a modular set of makefiles, which can be used with other IDEs. I use Xcode because I own a MacBook, but I tested the set of makefiles successfully with NetBeans. As at today, embedXcode supports the most popular Processing-based Wiring-derived Arduino-like platforms: chipKIT MPIDE, Arduino (23 + 1.0 + 1.5), Digistark, DFRobot BLuno, LaunchPad (MSP430, FR5739 and Stellaris LM4F), LeafLabs Maple, Microduino, Teensy 3 and Wiring.

Easy Installation

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  • Install MPIDE normally and run it once
  • Double-click on the embedXcode installation package to install the template
  • Launch Xcode

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Dedicated Website and Forum Thread

The dedicated website includes:

Also check the MPIDE on Xcode thread on the chipKIT forum.