First, download the latest release of MPLAB, if you don't have it, from Microchip's web site. As of this writing, version 5.00.00 is Microchip's latest release.  EARLIER VERSIONS WILL NOT WORK!

For the original PicBasic Compiler to work properly from within MPLAB, you need at least version 1.40a. This version's header files use the full PICmicro name, as is the Microchip convention. If you do not have 1.40a or greater, see our upgrade page for information on how to obtain it.

Install MPLAB and its components.  Make sure you select both MPASM for Windows and MPASM for DOS when installing. In the following examples, the default installation directory (C:\Program Files\MPLAB) will be used.

Install the PicBasic or PicBasic Pro Compiler according to the instructions found in the readme file on the floppy disk.  In the following examples, we assume that PicBasic Pro has been installed in C:\PBP.

Include the directories in your system's search path

The next step is to include both of the install directories within the search path on your system.  The procedure differs depending on the version of Windows running.

Windows 95/98

The search path is specified in a file called autoexec.bat, that should be located in the root directory of your C drive (C:\).  You can edit the file with a text editor such as notepad, or run msconfig (Win98 only).  

The path statement uses the format: PATH=path1;path2;....  Add the paths to MPLAB and PicBasic Pro to the end of the line, separating each path with a semicolon.

An example path statement is: PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\PBP;C:\PROGRA~1\MPLAB.
Notice that the "Program Files" directory must be shortened to its 8 character DOS equivalent, "Progra~1".

Restart your computer after making changes to the autoexec.bat file.

Windows NT

In Windows NT, the path statement is found on the Environment tab of the system properties dialog box.  

Right click the My Computer icon on your desktop and click Properties.  Click the Environment tab.

Find the Path variable in the System Variables window and click to highlight it.  The Variable and Value textboxes should fill with the Path information.

Add the paths to MPLAB and PicBasic Pro to the end of the line in the Variable Values text box, separating each path with a semicolon.

An example path statement is: %SystemRoot%\System32\;C:\PBP;C:\Program Files\MPLAB

Restart your computer after making changes to the path variable.

Windows 2000

The path statement is found in the Environment Variables dialog box.  To get there, right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop and select Properties.  

Click the Advanced tab, then the button labeled Environment Variables....  Find the Path variable in the System Variables window, highlight the line, and click Edit. 

Add the paths to MPLAB and PicBasic Pro to the end of the line in the Variable Values text box, separating each path with a semicolon.

An example path statement is: %SystemRoot%\System32\;C:\PBP;C:\Program Files\MPLAB

Restart your computer after making changes to the path variable.

Selecting PicBasic as the language tool within MPLAB

Start MPLAB and select Install Language Tool under the Project menu. Select microEngineering Labs, Inc. as the Language Suite. Select the appropriate Tool Name (PicBasic or PicBasic Pro Compiler). Use the browse button to select PBC.EXE or PBPW.EXE within the subdirectory where it was installed as the Executable. Select the Command-line radio button and click OK to finish up.

Installation of the compiler into MPLAB is now complete. You can now write, edit, simulate and program BASIC projects from within MPLAB.

Creating a BASIC project within MPLAB

To create a BASIC project within MPLAB, select New Project under the Project menu. Navigate to the subdirectory into which the PicBasic or PicBasic Pro Compiler was installed. The project and its associated files must exist in the compiler's subdirectory in order for all of the include files to be found. Enter a new project name such as BLINK.PJT and click OK. The Edit Project window should pop up.

Select the desired processor type using the Change button next to Development Mode.

Select microEngineering Labs, Inc. as the Language Tool Suite.

Click on the name of the project under Project Files and then click the Node Properties button. The Node Properties window should pop up.

Select the desired Language Tool for the project (PicBasic or PicBasic Pro Compiler). The rest of the defaults should be OK so click OK to exit.

Click the Add Node button to add your BASIC source file to the project, or click OK and File|New to begin a new source file.

That's all (!!!) there is to it. You can now select Make or Build to compile your program.