Components of MPLAB X IDE

MPLAB X IDE includes:

Optional components can be acquired or purchased to work with the MPLAB X IDE.

Compiler Language Tools

MPLAB XC C compilers from Microchip provide fully integrated, optimized code for MCUs. Along with community-based compilers and third-party compilers, they are invoked by the MPLAB X IDE project manager to compile code that is automatically loaded into the target debugger for instant testing and verification.

Programming Environments/Frameworks

The MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) is a free, graphical programming environment that generates seamless, easy-to-understand C code to be inserted into your project. Just install the MCC plugin into MPLAB X IDE by selecting Tools>Plugins>Available Plugins.

MPLAB® Harmony is a framework of system services, device drivers, and other libraries that are built upon a base of portable peripheral libraries to provide flexible, portable, and consistent software "building blocks" that you can use to develop your embedded PIC32 applications. The MPLAB Harmony Configurator (MHC), a time-saving hardware configuration utility for MPLAB Harmony, is available as a plugin under Tools>Plugins>Available Plugins.

Programmers

Production programmers, such as the MPLAB ICD 4 in-circuit debugger, are capable of the programming code into target devices in a production environment. Programmers may be used with MPLAB X IDE or MPLAB IPE to control programming of both code and data, as well as the Configuration bits to set the various operating modes of the target microcontrollers or digital signal controllers.

In-Circuit Debuggers and Emulators

In-circuit debuggers and emulators can be used to debug application code on target devices. By using some of the on-chip resources, these tools can download code into a target microcontroller inserted in the application, set breakpoints, single step and monitor registers and variables. Emulators include additional debug features, such as trace.

Plugin Tools

Several plugins are available to add to the capabilities for MPLAB X IDE. For example, the MPLAB Data Visualizer provides a mechanism to graphically view application output in real-time.