PICKit3 Programming With MPLABX

The Software
           There are two parts to this software/firmware section:
    -Writing The Program
    -Compile In MPLABX



           The program we're creating is as simple as it gets. A forever while loop, two for loops for delays and then on/off switching of an LED on PORTA. Nothing complicated, we're just trying to make sure we can successfully compile, build and program something onto the PIC.

LED Flasher Program

/************************************
Author: Chris @ PyroElectro.com
Date: 3/19/2012
Description:
	This is a test program to make sure we can
	upload programs to a PIC 18F452 using the
	PICKit3 programmer made by Microchip. The
	for loops inside of the forever while loop
	act like delays, which creates the effect of
	an LED blinking off of PIN2 or PORTA RA1.
************************************/
#include 

#pragma config OSC = HS	// Oscillator Selection:HS
#pragma config WDT = OFF	// Watchdog Timer
#pragma config LVP = OFF	// Low Voltage ICSP(PIN 6):Disabled

void main(void){
	//New Integer Counter
unsigned int cnt = 0;
	//Clear PORTA
TRISA = 0x00;
PORTA = 0x00;
	//Forever While Loop
	while(1){
		//Set PORTA=0 Many Times
	for(cnt=0;cnt<500000;cnt++)
		PORTA = 0x00;
		//Set PORTA=1 Many Times
		for(cnt=0;cnt<500000;cnt++)
		PORTA = 0x01;		
	}
}

           Because of the parallel nature of the LCD's I/O it's very easy to send chunks of data to the LCD and we're loving sending 8-bit commands to it with a simple enable bit pulse.


A Quick Video Walk-Through
           If you have never used MPLABX before, here is a quick walk-through of the process from creating a project, to setting up the C18 compiler and finally to compiling the project.


           At this point, you have the hardware built, and you've just compiled the software program seen above in both the text and the video. It's game time, let's get this program loaded onto the pic and see some flashing LEDs!