Microchip launched a free development platform based on cloud services to provide the easiest way to develop PIC microcontrollers

     Microchip Technology, a leading global provider of integrated microcontroller, mixed-signal, emulator and flash memory proprietary solutions, announced the availability of MPLAB Xpress, a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE). This online development platform does not require downloading, registration and installation at the start of the design and is the easiest way to start PIC MCU development. Microchip's free, cloud-based IDE brings the most versatile features of the award-winning MPLAB X IDE to a connected computer, laptop, or tablet.

     MPLAB Xpress offers the industry's most comprehensive feature set, including a range of Microchip validated code examples, interfaces with MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC)3.0 for GUI-based MCU peripherals setup and automatic code generation, integration with MPLAB XC compilers, support for programmer/debugger hardware, and more. And 10 GB of secure online storage per myMicorchip account. Users can easily migrate their projects to the full downloadable MPLAB X IDE. In addition, the MPLAB Xpress community encourages developers to share their code, design ideas, and knowledge.

     By connecting a computer, laptop or tablet with a USB interface to tools such as the MPLAB Xpress evaluation Board, cloud-based hardware development is possible. The board is equipped with an integrated programmer, a PIC16F18855 microcontroller and a mikroBUS™ socket. The socket connects to mikroElektronika's more than 180 Click™ boards to extend the system. The MPLAB Xpress IDE also supports Microchip's Curiosity board. It is a cost-effective tool that integrates a programmer and debugger with multiple extension options, support for daughter boards and external connections. In addition, the online IDE can be used with Microchip's generic PICkit™ 3 online debugger/programmer to program and debug more than 1,000 PIC microcontrollers.

     Derek Carlson, Microchip's vice president of development Tools, said: "While the free MPLAB X IDE has always made it easy to develop PIC microchips, the web-based MPLAB Xpress is installation-free, allowing users to build a complete application in minutes. Users can open a browser, quickly generate code through the integrated MPLAB code configurator combined with MPLAB Xpress (a feature not available in any other cloud-based IDE), test the code with the built-in simulator, compile the code, and then program and debug the target microcontroller."

     The MPLAB Xpress community provides a platform for sharing knowledge and ideas, enabling users to quickly start projects, solve problems, and inspire each other. The Sample section makes it easy to query MCU code developed and verified by Microchip engineers, including things like Settings, basic features, and advanced projects. Designers add this to the knowledge base by letting other users browse their stored items. To facilitate further discussion and collaboration, there are also user forums and Wiki sections dedicated to MPLAB Xpress.