Using LEDs, LCDs and GLCDs in Microcontroller Projects

3.6 Using the mikroC Pro for PIC Compiler

This book is based on the mikroC Pro for PIC compiler, developed by mikroElektronika (www.mikroe.com). A 2 KB size limited demo version of the mikroC Pro for PIC compiler is available from the developers' Web site. This demo version should be sufficient for most small to medium, non-graphical applications. Alternatively, it is recommended that you purchase a full licence of the compiler for developing complex and graphical LCD based applications.

In this section we will be looking at the actual program development, compilation and simulation processes using the mikroC Pro for PIC IDE. After installing the compiler, an icon should appear by default on your Desktop. You should double-click this icon to start the IDE.

3.6.1 mikroC Pro for PIC IDE

After starting the mikroC Pro for PIC, the screen shown in Figure 3.12 will be displayed. The main screen is in two parts. The upper larger part, known as the Code Editor Window, is the main screen where programs are written. The lower part is known as the Message Window. On the left-hand margin, there are two sliding menus called Project Settings and Code Explorer. On the right-hand margin, there are four sliding windows called Library Manager, Routine List, Project Manager and Project Explorer. Clicking on a sliding window opens the window. Now we briefly look at the functions of various windows.

Figure 3.12 mikroC Pro for PIC IDE screen

3.6.1.1 The Code Editor Window

This Code Editor is an advanced ...