Joe mentioned something the other day that resonates with me. With just a few very simple changes, the whole business of getting started with GCB could be made considerably simpler. I well remember when I was first looking into GCB wondering at all the different files scattered all over the place; which ones should I be concerned with first as I started to explore?
After a couple months I finally figured out what was needed right away and what could wait. In particular, I believe simply reorganizing the files into reasonable subfolders can go a long way to lessening the mystery.
In the next post, I'll show you the directory structure I use. Notice how the root directory has only what's needed right away. A beginner, then, would simply move his or her message/language file to the root, and would be ready to go.
Thomas Henry
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Anonymous
-
2014-05-09
And here's the snapshot. Note how clean the main pane is. The subfolders appear in the left pane.
Now place all that in Frank's GCB@Syn and you have the perfect beginner setup.
Now I took it a bit farther and added to GCB@Syn. I preinstalled the PICkit 2 files and setup new Arduino style buttons to launch the generate hex and program with PICkit 2 command line for a one click build and program.
Then topped it all off by zipping it into a self-extracting windows installer so a beginner just runs the setup.exe and all the files are installed plus the GCB shows up in the start menu (free sample programs are included).
And this install file can be downloaded from my greatcowbasic.com site for free.
Add that to my free to download GCB manual and a beginner has everything in two files to start programming with GCB.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
The release is the same GCB level as the current GCB@SYN. I haven't released a version with the latest hot release or my updated PICkit 2 Device file. That will happen soon.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Good work Thomas! I'll download the zip,install it and let you know how it goes.
Other things I thought would be good for beginners is some pre-packaged configs for various popular bootloaders. My favorite is TinyBld. Also (this would require coding on Frank's part, I think) would be an "Update" button that would query the GCB site for the latest files and update the development system file environment.
Some examples of useful programs for the Arduino and Chipino would be nice to package with the whole thing. I think that the closer we can make this to "download-and-play", like Arduino, the more 'market share' GCB can garner. I think if we had these things, we'd be off to the market-promotion races.
Joe
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
A few notes. The Hot Release is a complete drop in replacement for an existing install. I simply drop mine on GCB@Syn. I have removed all files that are not required and these are the files we would drop in the new full installer.
The latest Hot Release is really 'a must' for anyone not just flashing LEDs. The changes to the code provide much greater stability across a number of areas.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hi all.
A VERY newbie to GCB here, moving over from PBP.
I may not use GCB for everything, at this stage my interest is in using GLCDs in some projects. It may be that I will use the familiar old PBP unless GCB has some functions, (eg the GLCD stuff) that will make a project easier.
The main question I have ATM is, can I use my MELABS programmer or do I have to buy a new PICKIT unit?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Great Cow generates a pretty standard Intel Hex file, and can be set to call up any other program to download that file to the microcontroller.
I've had a look at the MELABS site, I think they do provide a suitable tool to anyone who has bought their programmer. They also have a limited version for download at http://melabs.com/support/progsoft.htm, but I'm not sure if that would be compatible. It "does not support the advanced command-line switches of the paid upgrade", whatever that means.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Joe mentioned something the other day that resonates with me. With just a few very simple changes, the whole business of getting started with GCB could be made considerably simpler. I well remember when I was first looking into GCB wondering at all the different files scattered all over the place; which ones should I be concerned with first as I started to explore?
After a couple months I finally figured out what was needed right away and what could wait. In particular, I believe simply reorganizing the files into reasonable subfolders can go a long way to lessening the mystery.
In the next post, I'll show you the directory structure I use. Notice how the root directory has only what's needed right away. A beginner, then, would simply move his or her message/language file to the root, and would be ready to go.
Thomas Henry
And here's the snapshot. Note how clean the main pane is. The subfolders appear in the left pane.
Now place all that in Frank's GCB@Syn and you have the perfect beginner setup.
Now I took it a bit farther and added to GCB@Syn. I preinstalled the PICkit 2 files and setup new Arduino style buttons to launch the generate hex and program with PICkit 2 command line for a one click build and program.
Then topped it all off by zipping it into a self-extracting windows installer so a beginner just runs the setup.exe and all the files are installed plus the GCB shows up in the start menu (free sample programs are included).
And this install file can be downloaded from my greatcowbasic.com site for free.
Add that to my free to download GCB manual and a beginner has everything in two files to start programming with GCB.
Chuck
What's the link to the setup.exe file?
Joe
That's not a good sign if you can't find it. I may have to improve my website layout.
The file link is on the Getting Started Guide page.
The direct link is below.
http://www.greatcowbasic.com/uploads/9/2/9/8/9298268/gcb_chipino_setup1.0.exe
The release is the same GCB level as the current GCB@SYN. I haven't released a version with the latest hot release or my updated PICkit 2 Device file. That will happen soon.
Good work Thomas! I'll download the zip,install it and let you know how it goes.
Other things I thought would be good for beginners is some pre-packaged configs for various popular bootloaders. My favorite is TinyBld. Also (this would require coding on Frank's part, I think) would be an "Update" button that would query the GCB site for the latest files and update the development system file environment.
Some examples of useful programs for the Arduino and Chipino would be nice to package with the whole thing. I think that the closer we can make this to "download-and-play", like Arduino, the more 'market share' GCB can garner. I think if we had these things, we'd be off to the market-promotion races.
Joe
A few notes. The Hot Release is a complete drop in replacement for an existing install. I simply drop mine on GCB@Syn. I have removed all files that are not required and these are the files we would drop in the new full installer.
The latest Hot Release is really 'a must' for anyone not just flashing LEDs. The changes to the code provide much greater stability across a number of areas.
Hi all.
A VERY newbie to GCB here, moving over from PBP.
I may not use GCB for everything, at this stage my interest is in using GLCDs in some projects. It may be that I will use the familiar old PBP unless GCB has some functions, (eg the GLCD stuff) that will make a project easier.
The main question I have ATM is, can I use my MELABS programmer or do I have to buy a new PICKIT unit?
Great Cow generates a pretty standard Intel Hex file, and can be set to call up any other program to download that file to the microcontroller.
I've had a look at the MELABS site, I think they do provide a suitable tool to anyone who has bought their programmer. They also have a limited version for download at http://melabs.com/support/progsoft.htm, but I'm not sure if that would be compatible. It "does not support the advanced command-line switches of the paid upgrade", whatever that means.