02-07-2024 | Microchip Technology | Industrial
Leveraging the versatility of Microsoft Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Microchip Technology now provides an early access version of MPLAB Extensions for VS Code. This launch supplies embedded designers with tools to import projects from MPLAB X IDE to VS Code while still accessing the company's debugging and programming support. This initiative is part of its long-term strategy to expand its offerings and serve developers working within the VS Code ecosystem.
The IDE is an expandable, highly configurable software program with powerful tools to help developers discover, configure, develop, debug and qualify embedded designs for most of the company's MCUs and digital signal controllers. The VS Code extensions merge the capabilities of MPLAB X IDE with the flexibility of VS Code to produce a more seamless and efficient development environment for new and existing customers. These products are being released under an early access program to quickly deliver the essential tools to customers while its development team continues refining the extensions based on user feedback.
"At Microchip, we are dedicated to meeting developers in their environment of choice. VS Code is an extremely popular tool, and the recent MPLAB Extensions enable developers to continue working in the IDE they are most familiar with while taking full advantage of Microchip's complete device support and toolset," said Rodger Richey, vice president of development systems and academic programs at Microchip. "This fusion offers an optimal blend of familiarity and functionality, providing an easy path for developers to integrate our resources and components."
During this early access release, the solution includes capabilities such as MPLAB X IDE project import and the ability to compile, program and perform basic debugging with any supported company device. Also, MPLAB Data Visualizer can be used inside VS Code through an extension, allowing users to see what's happening on the device at run time.
Future updates will bring MPLAB Code Configurator into VS Code to help set up preconfigured projects. Development has also started on a VS Code extension for the MPLAB Machine Learning Development Suite and an extra MPLAB Extension for AI code-generative assistance to review and improve code inside the IDE.
The introduction of MPLAB Extensions for VS Code represents a new phase of accessibility and flexibility for developers using the company's tools. This launch represents the first instance of the MPLAB IDE software being obtainable outside the MPLAB development ecosystem, but it is just the beginning of its broader integration with the VS Code community. The current features are designed to fulfil the immediate needs of developers, with the intention of continuing to refine the toolset and introducing new extensions with added functionality in the future.
