The PicBasic and PicBasic Pro Compilers can now be used with Microchip's MPLAB!

Installing PicBasic and MPLAB

First, download the latest release of MPLAB, if you don't have it, from Microchip's web site. As of this writing, version 6.30 is Microchip's latest release with support for our products.

Install MPLAB and its components. In the following examples, the default installation directory (C:\Program Files\MPLAB IDE) will be used. MPASMWIN.EXE is located in a subdirectory called "Mchip_Tools".

Install the PicBasic or PicBasic Pro Compiler according to the instructions found in the readme file on the floppy disk. Avoid long directory names in the installation path. Some versions will have problems if installed in C:\Program Files\PBP. 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.

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Windows 95/98/ME

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\MPLABI~1\Mchip_~1.
Notice that long directory names must be shortened to their 8 character DOS equivalent.Ý For example, the "Program Files" directory must be shortened to "Progra~1".

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

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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 IDE\Mchip_Tools

Restart your computer after making changes to the path variable.

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Windows 2000/XP

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.ÝÝ

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.Ý

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 IDE\Mchip_Tools

Restart your computer after making changes to the path variable.

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Selecting PicBasic as the language tool within MPLAB

Start MPLAB and select Set Language Tool Locations under the Project menu. Select the appropriate Toolsuite Name (PicBasic or PicBasic Pro Compiler). Use the browse button to select PBC.EXE or PBPW.EXE within the subdirectory where it was installed.

Creating a BASIC project within MPLAB

Run the Project Wizard to create a project in MPLAB.

Select the desired processor.

Select appropriate microEngineering Labs, Inc. Tool Suite.

Name the project.Ý Choose the directory where the source file exists.

Add the source file to the project.

Click Next, then Finish. You should be able to edit the source and build the project.