A header wizard

[cncmachineguy]

Changes and additions to Build 3:

• -Now requires accurate location of PBP folder. This is used when populating the "Select PIC" combo box. The include file must exist in both the MPASM and PBP folders to be added. This prevents the application from attempting to parse files for microcontrollers that are not supported by PBP.

Great idea, but now I'm broke from testing at work again.

• When selecting PIC, tabs are updated to show or hide PORT, ADC, Comparator, and USART tabs depending on whether or not they exist for that device.
• In General tab, added DEFINE for oscillator speed.
• In General tab, added DEFINE for using bootloader.
• In General tab, added DEFINE for enabling PORTB pullups.
• In Port tab, straightened out reversing of TRIS and PORT bits.
• In Port tab, added handling so that PORT and TRIS will be output in a single line each if possible. Unused (i.e. non-existant) bits are set as zero.
• In ADC tab, added checkbox to set all potential ADC ports to digital.
• In ADC tab, added checkbox to configure internal ADC. At this point ONLY the standard PBP DEFINES are included.
• In Comparator tab, added checkbox to set all potential comparator ports to digital.

Comments, bug reports, suggestions always appreciated...

Best Regards,
Paul

All sounds really good, just have to wait till I get home to play. And I have work I must do before going home.

[Ioannis]

Hi Paul. Thanks for the new version.

Please have a look at the attached picture. It has some garbage under File Utility menus.

Also when starting the application it askes fo the Microchip directory.
a) since it is by default installed in a known place, can this be autmated?

b) the window that request to manually find the directory is at the back ground and not visible.

And it then assumes that my PBP is at c:\pbp

If I have my PBP in a different place, say c:\pbp243 it gives an error message for MPASM not found!

After the error messages if I set the paths in Utility/Settings menu, all are OK after.

In ADC tab, if All Analog Ports to Digital is checked, then there is no point in Configure Built in ADC. An being in the ADC, it does not set the ADCON0/ADCON1 registers. (I tested the 16F887)

Can you add also a PWM tab?

Now this is a reminder if possible to add in a later version: Timers, Comparators, Interrupts.

The last note is about the aesthetic ofte windows. Can this be OS based to look more slick and related to the current OS system?

Ioannis

[prstein]

Hello Ioannis,

Please have a look at the attached picture. It has some garbage under File Utility menus.

You must be using Large Fonts. I'll add some handling to account for that,

Also when starting the application it askes fo the Microchip directory.
a) since it is by default installed in a known place, can this be autmated?

Are you aware of a registry key for this? I could check that and use that as the default (if the key exists). Failing that can you make any recommendations for what the default should be or how it should be determined?

b) the window that request to manually find the directory is at the back ground and not visible.

Good point. I can fix that.

And it then assumes that my PBP is at c:\pbp

If I have my PBP in a different place, say c:\pbp243 it gives an error message for MPASM not found!

Whoops...that will teach me to re-use code! I will fix that as well.

After the error messages if I set the paths in Utility/Settings menu, all are OK after.

In ADC tab, if All Analog Ports to Digital is checked, then there is no point in Configure Built in ADC. An being in the ADC, it does not set the ADCON0/ADCON1 registers. (I tested the 16F887)

Hmm. I'll have to figure out what I did to break that--thanks for finding the problem!

I did figure that someone might wish to configure all ports as digital and then change just one of them (or something) to analog. I probably didn't think that through far enough and will re-visit the question.

Can you add also a PWM tab?

Now this is a reminder if possible to add in a later version: Timers, Comparators, Interrupts.

Comparators is on the short list. PWM can be done reasonably easily (I think). Timers and interrupts somewhat harder. On any/all of these, what do you want to set? (What decisions would the user make and what would the output look like). I've set all of these at one time or another for my own projects but the challenge is how to generalize the rule.

The last note is about the aesthetic ofte windows. Can this be OS based to look more slick and related to the current OS system?

I'm using an old version of Delphi (v4 from 1998!). At some point I'll try recompiling under a newer version, which should update the look.

Thanks for all your comments!

Best Regards,
Paul

[cncmachineguy]

Comparators is on the short list. PWM can be done reasonably easily (I think). Timers and interrupts somewhat harder. On any/all of these, what do you want to set? (What decisions would the user make and what would the output look like). I've set all of these at one time or another for my own projects but the challenge is how to generalize the rule.

And thats what makes this a wizard.
Trying to make this the last time WE have to think about this stuff!

[cncmachineguy]

A question for the moderators or anybody more forum savy than I (won't take much)

Seeing how I have the first post in the thread, I would like to edit it to have a link to the most current updates. For example: a Link to Daves post with his link, and a link to todays update from Paul.

I am sure this should be quite easy, but I am just getting the "[QUOTE]" stuff figured out. I don't mind updating the post, just not sure how. Of course, I guess Dave, I could just copy your link and paste it in?

[mackrackit]

See post#1. I am not going very far with my code so I can at least maintain the thread...

Thanks Paul!!!

[cncmachineguy]

Thanks Dave

[ScaleRobotics]

Very impressive Paul ... and I am still playing...

And you thought you wouldn't have a new version out till Wednesday!

[Ioannis]

You must be using Large Fonts. I'll add some handling to account for that,

Hi Paul. No I do not use other than the system default. In fact they seem a little small as the screen is on a 18.1 Laptop with HD support.

Are you aware of a registry key for this? I could check that and use that as the default (if the key exists). Failing that can you make any recommendations for what the default should be or how it should be determined?

I am not aware of any registry keys, but maybe you can set a default path as c:\program files\microchip\mplab suite

If this is not found, then you dialog will pop-up for the user to correct it.

Timers and interrupts somewhat harder. On any/all of these, what do you want to set? (What decisions would the user make and what would the output look like). I've set all of these at one time or another for my own projects but the challenge is how to generalize the rule.

I fully understand. I do not know exactly too!

Well, for timers lets start by selecting which timer will be enabled, if interrupts also will be set, prescaller settings, count-down value, time it takes according to Clock oscillator, which oscillator (system or external or 32,768).

For Interrupt, sure it is more difficult, maybe Darrel can help here. He has changed the files to a newer version (now is 1.10) and maybe you have to work with him.

Ioannis

[Acetronics2]

Hi, Paul

This tool is beginning to look really nice !!!

I noticed in V3 you used ANCON instead of ADCON ...

one other very little detail is if you select " all digital " ... ADC configs, if also selected, still appear in the produced code window ... might be one option only , no ???

Congratulations ... I'd really like to be able to do that !!!

Alain

[cncmachineguy]

Here is my attempt at creating a full wish list. I am not trying to imply This hasn't been covered through the many posts, but I am trying to get it all in 1 place. As I see we are still talking about what to include, I personally couldn't even attempt what Paul has done with such moving targets. Seems odd to me we are this far, and haven't stopped to create this list. so here goes:

• Config's
• Comparator
• 8 bit ADC
• OSC
  
  Mid-range (Above plus) PIC12,PIC16
• SPI/I2C
• UART
• PWM(s)
• LCD
• 10 bit ADC
• Op Amp
  
  Enhanced Mid-range (Above plus) PIC12F1XXX,PIC16F1XXX
• Adds multiple Communication Peripherals
• Linear Programming Space - I don't think this has anything to do with the wizard
• PWM(s) with independent time base
  
  PIC18 xtras (above plus)
• 8x8 Hardware multipler (need setup in wizard?)
• CAN
• CTMU
• USB
• Ethernet
• 12 bit ADC

This clearly came direct from the 8-bit brochure. This is all open for discussion, but I think this should be what we are after.

If anyone thinks its a good idea, I will attempt to create a new line of PIC's for us. PIC109999,PIC129999,PIC169999,PIC12F1999,PIC16F199 9,PIC189999.

Maybe we don't need all of them, I'm just not sure. The intended purpose is for testing. This way we wouldn't have to go through all the chips just to make sure everything works.
This is open for discussion.

If it is a good idea, This is not something Paul or Dave should create. After all, they are providing us with their programming skills, we can at least help by putting some text files together. Maybe these "feature rich" chips actually do exist already, in that case we just need to agree they are the test standard.

Now to ALL of us except Paul or Dave, certainally we can help out by coming up with the things to be set for each line item. This way they don't have to do all the homework! For us to be able to do this, we need a format with which to convey the information.

Paul, you asked what should that look like? (in reference to the timers I think). How would you like to get the answer? ie: a list of registers, drop down list idea, radio buttons. Are you looking for input to the general format? This is what I mean by a format to convey the answers. I trust you know what needs to be spit out by the wizard, I am guessing you want to know how the user will tell it?

I guess my point here is this. This really is a big project. As a community we CAN all help to complete this. Part of this may come from my desire to help, but not sure where, so I'm looking for places. From what I can tell so far, this is a forum full of many talents. Maybe someone is a graphic person, They could throw out some design ideas or provide a background graphic. We are all busy, as I'm sure Paul is also. Lets jump in here and make this a REAL community project. In the end, We will have something we will all benifit from, ultimately saving us all time on every project/job.

Please don't take this as me ranting, I am ecstatic thus far with the whole thing! I am just trying to find ways for all of us to be involved.

[harryweb]

HI,
The header wizard is a very good idea.
aesthetic is not my first choice...

DT tell us that there is already a functioning Configurator that will be available fairly soon.
One tool is better than many tools... no ?

Regards

Harry Paris

[cncmachineguy]

Paul, maybe we can get a definative list for all the special functions - everyone chime in here - and get a version just showing all tabs as if every function may be used on a "test" device? Even better, anyone want to put together a "test" .inc to try out the app? The test device would be a phantom chip that has every function available in every chip for its class. So maybe 3 files 16F,18F, and 18FJ.

I think this would go far towards the planing side of things.

As for the looks, I really like the new icon.
Which OS to look like? XP,Vista, WIn7, or none of the above. Personally I like the looks of Fedora Core but thats a whole different issue.

[prstein]

Great idea, but now I'm broke from testing at work again.

All sounds really good, just have to wait till I get home to play. And I have work I must do before going home.

Thanks Bert,

I look forward to hearing about everything that doesn't work!

Best Regards,
Paul