Converting to MPASM

[btaylor]

I have never used MPASM, always PM that comes with PBP. I have a 500 line program that compiles and runs perfectly under MicroCode Studio Plus with PBP 2.46 and PM but when I try and use MPASM my system falls apart. The PBP program using PM compiles to 2512 words - with MPASM it generates 3444 errors. That is an average of 5 errors per line of program code. Not what I had in mind.

I downloaded MPASM v02.15 from the MicroChip site & unzipped it to its own directory. I pointed MCSP to the appropriate directory in View/Compile and Programme Options. I read the MCSP help. I checked the MPASM notes in the PBP manual. Still got 3444 errors.

Can someone please point me at the basics of using MPASM? Are there settings outside MCSP that need tweaking? Must all commands be in upper case? Do I need a blank at the start of evry line? There has to be a fundamental something I am missing.

For example the following few lines work in PM.

@ Device pic16F877, HS_OSC, BOD_OFF, PWRT_ON, WDT_ON, PROTECT_OFF

trisa = %11111111
trisb = %11111111
trisc = %10011111

But in MPASM I get the following error messages (text abbreviated)
16F877.inc..unknown processor (16F877)
Cannot open file (include file "16F877.INC" not found)
Processor type is undefined
Duplicate label ("_PORTL"..........)
Symbol not previously defined PORTC
Symbol not previously defined TRISB
Symbol not previously defined TRISC

I have started reading the MPASM manual but at 278 pages that will take a while.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

thanks
Brian