CHANDLER, AZ -- Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, announced from the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, CA, its next-generation, open-source integrated development environment (IDE)—the MPLAB X IDE—with cross-platform support for Linux, Mac OS, and Windows operating systems. A host of high-performance features have been added to the new IDE, including the ability to manage multiple projects and tools, with simultaneous debugging, an advanced editor, visual call graphs, and code completion. And "MPLAB X is unique in the industry with its support for an entire portfolio of 8-, 16-, and 32-bit microcontrollers, including all 800+ PIC microcontrollers, dsPIC digital signal controllers, and memory devices.
Watch a video demonstration of the new MPLAB X IDE on the company's Web site.
The designers of today's leading-edge embedded applications are demanding an IDE that provides a solid foundation for high-performance, user-friendly, and flexible development. They also want it to be compatible with a wide range of development tools, for a broad and reliable microcontroller portfolio, with easy migration, to decrease the learning curve and protect their tool and code investments. MPLAB X provides a single, unified graphical interface for Microchip and third-party tools, including the MPLAB ICD 3, PICkit 3, and MPLAB REAL ICE debugger/programmers.
"By combining the feature-rich MPLAB X IDE with the high-performance and migration-friendly PIC MCU portfolio, Microchip is taking its industry-leading development support to the next level," said Derek Carlson, Microchip's Vice President of Development Systems. "Now more than ever, Microchip provides embedded designers with the world's most universal, flexible, and easy-to-use microcontroller development platform."
MPLAB X is based on the Oracle sponsored open-source NetBeans platform, which has an active user community that can contribute a wide range of enhancements and third-party plug-ins. In fact, Microchip customers can take advantage of a host of free NetBeans software components and plug-ins that exist today. Additionally, the NetBeans platform allows MPLAB X users to customize the IDE to suit their individual development needs.
"Microchip has built upon the flexible and open-source NetBeans platform to significantly advance their MPLAB X IDE," said Duncan Mills, Senior Director Product Management, Oracle. "MPLAB X maintains the core benefits of NetBeans, enabling developers to quickly and easily deploy optimized embedded applications."
"Microchip is once again living up to its well-earned reputation for providing low-cost yet powerful embedded development platforms for its highly functional and peripheral-rich PIC microcontrollers," said Harold Foster, Chief Engineer, Accompli Electronic Controls. "In fact, Microchip provides the kind of support that is unattainable for its competitors. By moving to an open-source, cross-platform environment with the new MPLAB X IDE, Microchip has raised the bar even higher."
Additional features of the new MPLAB X IDE include:
- Import utility for quick and easy migration of projects from the old MPLAB IDE platform
- Code completion and context menus via advanced editor
- Configurable watch window
- Supports multiple compiler versions simultaneously
- Team collaboration tools for bug tracking and source-code control
Availability
Explore the MPLAB X IDE today, via a free download from the company's Web site. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site. Microchip invites your feedback via the MPLAB X Users' Forum. Engineering time is crucial, so Microchip is continuing to support the current MPLAB 8 environment to help ensure that there are no disruptions on active projects.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost, and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, AZ, Microchip offers outstanding technical support, along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site.
The Microchip name and logo, MPLAB, PIC, and dsPIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.