8-bit Bootloader from Microchip

[richard]

What do you mean exactly if I may ask? Is customizing such a file overwhelming?

every chip type needs its own loader asm file ,every different config of that chip may need it own version, pll use brings another set of issues
newer chip types aren't supported at all . the included device files are barely populated and need work to add chips.
its not particularly difficult just ugly and untidy

But if one has the need of a system that must be "updateable" without a programmer, what would be the alternative?

use C in mplabx it has a built in bootloader for mcc supported chips if you really want one. i prefer to just add an icsp socket.
for sold to customer products its a return to base for updates.
better still these days do everything on a esp8266 and use ota to update [no wires no problem all via wifi]

[Ioannis]

My advice. Forget all about bootloader. It just not worth it.

With ICSP you have:

1. Better programming speed
2. Safer and works with ALL chips, not only with those that a bootloader exists.
3. No use of UART
4. Free to use any CONFIG you want
5. Free to use any clock speed you want

Once I used bootloader but after using ICSP (with Pickit 2, Pickit 3 and ICD3) never used it again.

Ioannis

[flotulopex]

Thank you Richard and Ioannis, I appreciate your advice.

I've never tried ISCP either so let's discover this one

[Ioannis]

After using it with the Microchip IPE (which is not very good design IMHO), I found this one http://www.pickitplus.co.uk/Typesetter/ for my Pickit2 and Pickit3.

It is a stand alone application that is maintained and updated on a regular basis by Evan Venn, a very helpful person.

Using ICSP is very easy. You connect through 5 pins the MCU (MCLR, +Vdd, GND, CLK and DATA) either permanent while developing or momentarily only for programming and hit WRITE and you are ready.

Only take care not to load too much the CLK and DATA lines (PortB.6 and PortB.7) which leads to programming failure.

And best of all, you can even supply with 3.3 or 5 volts the MCU through the Pickit. I had successfully supplied a circuit with 4x20 backlit LCD.

Ioannis