I configured an IDE for GCBasic based on the SynWrite Editor (open source). I called it GCB@Syn. It contains all we need to write-compile-assemble GCBasic sourcecode and flash the result to our PIC or AVR microcontroller.
Features:
- no installation, should work OUT OF THE BOX
- syntax highlighting
- colde folding
- sub/function list
- autocomplete
- context sensitive help (F1)
- multifile tabs
- bookmarks
- doubleclick on compilererrors leads to sourcecode-line
- …
- oneclick assemble/compile/flash microcontroller (F5, F6, F7, F8)
- programmer-software for AVR and PIC preinstalled
- programmer-software configurable via batchfiles
- Rs232-UART Terminal
Installation:
1. Decompress the complete GCB@Syn folder inside the zip to your harddisk.
I recommend to use *NOT* the "Program Files" folder due to Windows
restrictations for this folder (but should work anyway).
2. Run IDE.exe.
3. Check the automatic opened files.
Included software components:
- Complete GreatCowBasic compiler (wihout graphical-part)
- AVRdude
- avrdude-GUI
- PICPgm
- Terminal by Br@y++
- Some little tools by me to make this work together.
Hi Frank, ther must have been someting on the network filtering the zip content. anyway all done now. I havn't had a chance to evaluate the new version, but if it is anything like the original, I'm sure it will be absolutely fantastic!
Thanks once again for a supurb product.
Keith
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I have been moving in leaps and bounds with this absolutely fantastic piece of kit, in fact, in my opinion it would be worth spending money on if it was not for the fact it is offered as shareware. Anyway, the reason for my post. Could some kind person explain in simplified terms how I can integrate my SynWrite GCB with my PICkit2 Programmer.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Put all files to a subfolder in GCB@Syn, say PicKit2
Edit Programmer4PIC.bat in GCB@Syn\GreatCowbasic like this:
@echo off
REM This batchfile is called from AVRorPIC.exe if a PIC-chipmodel is detected.
REM %1 is replaced with the chipmodel i.e. 16F688
REM %2 is replaced with the hexfile in double quotes i.e. "C:\My Folder\nice file.hex"
REM %GCBasDir% is replaced with the full path of the GreatCowBasic Folder.
REM This environment-variable is set by IDE.exe in the root of the GreatCowBasic Folder.
REM Please start always with IDE.exe !!
REM Check for environment-variable:
if "%GCBasDir%" == "" goto EnvFault
REM Check if hexfile can be found:
if not exist %2 goto NoFile
REM Call PIC-programming Software:
"%GCBasDir%\PicKit2\pk2cmd.exe" -b"%GCBasDir%\PicKit2" -pPIC%1 -f%2 -m
if errorlevel 1 goto END
echo pk2cmd.exe: S U C C E S S !
goto END
:NoFile
echo.
echo No hexfile: %2
echo.
goto END
:EnvFault
echo.
echo ERROR; missing environment variable "GCBasDir",
echo please call GreatCowBasic-IDE always with IDE.exe
echo.
:END
If there is to much "screen output", you can make it this way:
@echo off
REM This batchfile is called from AVRorPIC.exe if a PIC-chipmodel is detected.
REM %1 is replaced with the chipmodel i.e. 16F688
REM %2 is replaced with the hexfile in double quotes i.e. "C:\My Folder\nice file.hex"
REM %GCBasDir% is replaced with the full path of the GreatCowBasic Folder.
REM This environment-variable is set by IDE.exe in the root of the GreatCowBasic Folder.
REM Please start always with IDE.exe !!
REM Check for environment-variable:
if "%GCBasDir%" == "" goto EnvFault
REM Check if hexfile can be found:
if not exist %2 goto NoFile
REM Call PIC-programming Software with no output (>NUL):
"%GCBasDir%\PicKit2\pk2cmd.exe" -b"%GCBasDir%\PicKit2" -pPIC%1 -f%2 -m >NUL
REM Make our own errormessages:
if errorlevel 39 echo *** pk2cmd: AUTODETECT_FAILED ***
if errorlevel 39 goto Error
if errorlevel 37 echo *** pk2cmd: INVALID_HEXFILE ***
if errorlevel 37 goto Error
if errorlevel 36 echo *** pk2cmd: INVALID_CMDLINE_ARG ***
if errorlevel 36 goto Error
if errorlevel 34 echo *** pk2cmd: PGMVFY_ERROR ***
if errorlevel 34 goto Error
if errorlevel 28 echo *** pk2cmd: UPDGRADE_ERROR ***
if errorlevel 28 goto Error
if errorlevel 24 echo *** pk2cmd: DEVICEFILE_ERROR ***
if errorlevel 24 goto Error
if errorlevel 15 echo *** pk2cmd: FILE_OPEN_ERROR ***
if errorlevel 15 goto Error
if errorlevel 11 echo *** pk2cmd: WRONG_OS ***
if errorlevel 11 goto Error
if errorlevel 10 echo *** pk2cmd: NO_PROGRAMMER ***
if errorlevel 10 goto Error
if errorlevel 7 echo *** pk2cmd: OPFAILURE ***
if errorlevel 7 goto Error
if errorlevel 5 echo *** pk2cmd: VOLTAGE_ERROR ***
if errorlevel 5 goto Error
echo pk2cmd: S U C C E S S !
goto END
:Error
echo.
goto END
:NoFile
echo.
echo ERROR; missing hexfile:
echo %2
echo.
goto END
:EnvFault
echo.
echo ERROR; missing environment variable "GCBasDir",
echo please call GreatCowBasic-IDE always with IDE.exe
echo.
:END
Maybe you have to play around with the pk3cmd.exe command line parameters (see readme).
Not quite sure if this is in the right place, but here go's. I am trying to find where the help files are in this marvellous piece of work, I need to find out how a command works, or more to the point how to use the 'STEP' instruction. There is nothing in GCB but it shows up as command line support when I start to enter it.
Does anyone of the extremely talented individuals (Grovelling again hoping flattery will get me everywhere!) who haunt this board know how this works or can let me have an example to study I'd be ever so grateful.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Steini,
GCB@Syn is great. I've used it successfully with the PICkit 2.
I have a few suggestions though if you are interested.
1) Add GUI type drop down menu tools to make it easier to setup the LCD pins, 7 Seg pins etc. similar to the way Great Cow Graphical Basic does.
This makes it so easy.
2) Reduce the tool bar down to the basic essentials for GCB. There are so many features on the SYN tool bar it can be very confusing to a beginner.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
1) Add GUI type drop down menu tools to make it easier to setup the LCD pins, 7 Seg pins etc. similar to the way Great Cow Graphical Basic does. This makes it so easy.
I personally prefer to learn from helpfiles or samples. Moreover it's a lot of work i wouldn't like to do at current time. If someone makes a standalone application that will do the job, i (or anybody else) can add it to SynWrites "run" menu.
As a workaround i can simply add "Great Cow Graphical BASIC" to GCB@Syns next release. From inside "Great Cow Graphical BASIC" we can config the hardware (or generate other code), switch to "View as Text" and copy/paste the code to SynWrite.
2) Reduce the tool bar down to the basic essentials for GCB. There are so many features on the SYN tool bar it can be very confusing to a beginner.
I would really like to do it, but SynWrite (like the all other editors i know) only let us add external tools. It's not possible to remove something from the menu. All GCB-specific commands are added via SynWrites "Options" -> "External Tools" .
Steini
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I reluctantly endeavoured to update my GCB@Syn but with the aid of a few stiff drinks I plucked up the courage to jump in and do the biz…
No bother I thought, but once again I cannot my new install to talk to my trusty PicKit2 Programmer. It looks simple enough to amend the details of my FlashPic batch file pointing the line to where my PicKit2\PICPgm\picpgm.exe is but when I run it, it reports an error
ERROR running: "D:\Great Cow Graphical BASIC\GCB@Syn\G@Stools\flashPIC.bat" with parameters "G:\GC Projects\12F508 switch.hex" 12F508
Yet, I can briefly see the command line editor dialogue box pop up then disappear. I have spent two fruitless nights trying to get this to work again….. ‘ELP’ Please…..
Regards to all
Keith
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
It looks simple enough to amend the details of my FlashPic batch file pointing the line to where my PicKit2\PICPgm\picpgm.exe is but when I run it, it reports an error ERROR running: "D:\Great Cow Graphical BASIC\GCB@Syn\G@Stools\flashPIC.bat" with parameters "G:\GC Projects\12F508 switch.hex" 12F508
Put pk2cmd.exe _ and _PK2DeviceFile.dat to folder …\GCB@Syn\PicKit2
Edit flashPIC.bat in folder …\GCB@Syn\G@Stools:
2.1 Add a "rem" at the beginning o the line where picpgm is called
2.2 Remove the "rem" at the beginning of the line where pk2cmd is called.
Thats it!
If you want to change the commandline parameters for pk2cmd, read the hints on top of the batchfile.
Yet, I can briefly see the command line editor dialogue box pop up then disappear.
If you use the batchfiles as described, the popup-box should stay open, if an error occured. You can also use the menu commands "Run- FLASH previous made hexfile" if your hexfile is already created. Using this command, the popup-box will stay open anyway.
Hi!
I configured an IDE for GCBasic based on the SynWrite Editor (open source). I called it GCB@Syn. It contains all we need to write-compile-assemble GCBasic sourcecode and flash the result to our PIC or AVR microcontroller.
Features:
- no installation, should work OUT OF THE BOX
- syntax highlighting
- colde folding
- sub/function list
- autocomplete
- context sensitive help (F1)
- multifile tabs
- bookmarks
- doubleclick on compilererrors leads to sourcecode-line
- …
- oneclick assemble/compile/flash microcontroller (F5, F6, F7, F8)
- programmer-software for AVR and PIC preinstalled
- programmer-software configurable via batchfiles
- Rs232-UART Terminal
Installation:
1. Decompress the complete GCB@Syn folder inside the zip to your harddisk.
I recommend to use *NOT* the "Program Files" folder due to Windows
restrictations for this folder (but should work anyway).
2. Run IDE.exe.
3. Check the automatic opened files.
Included software components:
- Complete GreatCowBasic compiler (wihout graphical-part)
- AVRdude
- avrdude-GUI
- PICPgm
- Terminal by Br@y++
- Some little tools by me to make this work together.
Download from here:
http://http://www.franksteinberg.de/ZIPS/GCB@Syn.zip
Have fun!
Steini
Corrected link:
http://www.franksteinberg.de/ZIPS/GCB@Syn.zip
Screenshot:
Steini
Frank, This looks fantastic! I will give it a try. Let you know how it works. Best Regards, Ed.
Wow Frank, This looks really great…… extremely professional. It must have taken you ages. Hope it works as well as it looks. Thanks.
Frank i like this tool ; let know us if you will improve it with other features.
Hi!
I've updated GCB@Syn today.
History:
- Improvements in GCBasic Lexer
-> better recognition of SUBs / FUNCTIONs
- SynWrite updated to 2.7.426
- PICpgm updated to 1.6.4.2
- Br@y's Terminal updated to 20111230ß
Download: http://www.franksteinberg.de/ZIPS/GCB@Syn.zip
_________________________
Steini
Hi again Frank, I'm 'iching' to have a look at your updates but the download zip is corupt. At least that is what my machine is telling me.
"The Compressed (Ziopped) file is is invalid or corupted
Regards#
Keith
Hi Keith!
I made a test on two different computers, with Firefox and IExolorer.
Everything o.k.
Try to download again.
Steini
Tried to download and open it - same error,
Save target as - saved 1.8Mb tried unzipping it with same error.
Tried on diffent computer - same error.
Has anyone else had this trouble??
Keith
1.8 Mb is much to less, it has to be 7.24 Mb.
Anyway, I loaded it up as 7-Zip too:
http://www.franksteinberg.de/ZIPS/GCB@Syn.7z
This one has to be 3.6 Mb!
Hope, it works for you
Steini
Hi Frank, ther must have been someting on the network filtering the zip content. anyway all done now. I havn't had a chance to evaluate the new version, but if it is anything like the original, I'm sure it will be absolutely fantastic!
Thanks once again for a supurb product.
Keith
I have been moving in leaps and bounds with this absolutely fantastic piece of kit, in fact, in my opinion it would be worth spending money on if it was not for the fact it is offered as shareware. Anyway, the reason for my post. Could some kind person explain in simplified terms how I can integrate my SynWrite GCB with my PICkit2 Programmer.
Well-done and Kudos to your efforts and input!!!
This is great!
God blesses!!!
Best regards,
Sanyaade
I don't have a PicKit, so I can't check, but you can try this:
Load the command-line programmer pk2cmd from the microchip-website:
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en023805&redirects=pickit2
Put all files to a subfolder in GCB@Syn, say PicKit2
Edit Programmer4PIC.bat in GCB@Syn\GreatCowbasic like this:
@echo off
REM This batchfile is called from AVRorPIC.exe if a PIC-chipmodel is detected.
REM %1 is replaced with the chipmodel i.e. 16F688
REM %2 is replaced with the hexfile in double quotes i.e. "C:\My Folder\nice file.hex"
REM %GCBasDir% is replaced with the full path of the GreatCowBasic Folder.
REM This environment-variable is set by IDE.exe in the root of the GreatCowBasic Folder.
REM Please start always with IDE.exe !!
REM Check for environment-variable:
if "%GCBasDir%" == "" goto EnvFault
REM Check if hexfile can be found:
if not exist %2 goto NoFile
REM Call PIC-programming Software:
"%GCBasDir%\PicKit2\pk2cmd.exe" -b"%GCBasDir%\PicKit2" -pPIC%1 -f%2 -m
if errorlevel 1 goto END
echo pk2cmd.exe: S U C C E S S !
goto END
:NoFile
echo.
echo No hexfile: %2
echo.
goto END
:EnvFault
echo.
echo ERROR; missing environment variable "GCBasDir",
echo please call GreatCowBasic-IDE always with IDE.exe
echo.
:END
If there is to much "screen output", you can make it this way:
Maybe you have to play around with the pk3cmd.exe command line parameters (see readme).
4.
Let us know, if i works (or not).
Regards
_________________________
Steini
Hey man, that works GREAT !
A bit daunting at first, but thanks to cut, copy and paste an ideal application.
Thanks once again
Not quite sure if this is in the right place, but here go's. I am trying to find where the help files are in this marvellous piece of work, I need to find out how a command works, or more to the point how to use the 'STEP' instruction. There is nothing in GCB but it shows up as command line support when I start to enter it.
Does anyone of the extremely talented individuals (Grovelling again hoping flattery will get me everywhere!) who haunt this board know how this works or can let me have an example to study I'd be ever so grateful.
Hi again!
I made an update for GCB@Syn:
See readme.txt how to use.
Download: http://www.franksteinberg.de/ZIPS/GCB@Syn.zip
Regards
Steini
_________________________
Steini
Steini,
GCB@Syn is great. I've used it successfully with the PICkit 2.
I have a few suggestions though if you are interested.
1) Add GUI type drop down menu tools to make it easier to setup the LCD pins, 7 Seg pins etc. similar to the way Great Cow Graphical Basic does.
This makes it so easy.
2) Reduce the tool bar down to the basic essentials for GCB. There are so many features on the SYN tool bar it can be very confusing to a beginner.
Hi elproducts!
I personally prefer to learn from helpfiles or samples. Moreover it's a lot of work i wouldn't like to do at current time. If someone makes a standalone application that will do the job, i (or anybody else) can add it to SynWrites "run" menu.
As a workaround i can simply add "Great Cow Graphical BASIC" to GCB@Syns next release. From inside "Great Cow Graphical BASIC" we can config the hardware (or generate other code), switch to "View as Text" and copy/paste the code to SynWrite.
I would really like to do it, but SynWrite (like the all other editors i know) only let us add external tools. It's not possible to remove something from the menu. All GCB-specific commands are added via SynWrites "Options" -> "External Tools" .
Steini
Hi again!
Another update for GCB@Syn:
Download
Regards
_________________________
Steini
I reluctantly endeavoured to update my GCB@Syn but with the aid of a few stiff drinks I plucked up the courage to jump in and do the biz…
No bother I thought, but once again I cannot my new install to talk to my trusty PicKit2 Programmer. It looks simple enough to amend the details of my FlashPic batch file pointing the line to where my PicKit2\PICPgm\picpgm.exe is but when I run it, it reports an error
ERROR running: "D:\Great Cow Graphical BASIC\GCB@Syn\G@Stools\flashPIC.bat" with parameters "G:\GC Projects\12F508 switch.hex" 12F508
Yet, I can briefly see the command line editor dialogue box pop up then disappear. I have spent two fruitless nights trying to get this to work again….. ‘ELP’ Please…..
Regards to all
Keith
Hi Keith!
2.1 Add a "rem" at the beginning o the line where picpgm is called
2.2 Remove the "rem" at the beginning of the line where pk2cmd is called.
Thats it!
If you want to change the commandline parameters for pk2cmd, read the hints on top of the batchfile.
If you use the batchfiles as described, the popup-box should stay open, if an error occured. You can also use the menu commands "Run- FLASH previous made hexfile" if your hexfile is already created. Using this command, the popup-box will stay open anyway.
Hope, it works for you!
_________________________
Steini
Don't you just love it when someone comes along and with a few quick tips removes a nightmare !
Thanks once again Frank your an absolute wizard!
guys do u need hiding of menuitems in SynWrite? I can do it, from 4.6 maybe. U ll see checkmark "hide" in keys list
Btw issue. Package contains default session usage, in C:\Users\Frank………..-U see error message "Can't save session file" on SW exiting.