using eclipse

[dasRatsel]

guten tag:
I just completed my first season as team coder and have concluded that mplab is the fruit of the devil. In Atlanta I went to the Advanced C conference (y'all did an awsome job with that by the way) and noticed when they brought up some code they used eclipse, way cool. So, i was wondering how to do that - i've been tinkering round a bit but my lack of knowledge is leading me in circles. All i know is that i need an editor a linker an assembler etc... but i dont know how much of that is taken care of by eclipse and how much i need from the stuff first gave us .. . . .. so if somebody could help explain what all i need, and what exactly it does i'd be much abliged. thanks
~ Xavier

[Astronouth7303]

guten tag:
I just completed my first season as team coder and have concluded that mplab is the fruit of the devil. In Atlanta I went to the Advanced C conference (y'all did an awsome job with that by the way) and noticed when they brought up some code they used eclipse, way cool. So, i was wondering how to do that - i've been tinkering round a bit but my lack of knowledge is leading me in circles. All i know is that i need an editor a linker an assembler etc... but i dont know how much of that is taken care of by eclipse and how much i need from the stuff first gave us .. . . .. so if somebody could help explain what all i need, and what exactly it does i'd be much abliged. thanks
~ Xavier

I haven't tried it, but being able to use Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org/) woulb be cool. I agree with you about MPLAB.

I'm thinking you need to set up CDT special, or there is a custom PIC plugin. I'm also betting as a post-link step, you run the ifi-picloader (the Linux version of IFILoader) to load it.

If someone whose actually done this could post, I'd love to hear about it, too!

[dasRatsel]

k -- well -- i found this
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35571

but i cant seem to get it to work for me --
in addition -- i'm not exactly sure what some of this stuff does
so -- if somebody could give me a rather detailed description of what each step does and exactly which files need to be installed (like that whole mcc thing .. how to integrate that?) i would much appreciate it so that i c'n know enough to debug my problems -- or -- if there's another way entirely -- i'd be very open to that too

thank you much
~Xavier

and oh yea -- i forgot eclipse is cross-platform -=- i've been waiting ages to use linux on our robot -- if for nothing else -- just to say -- i'm using linux :D

[Redneck]

guten tag:
I just completed my first season as team coder and have concluded that mplab is the fruit of the devil.
Biggest understatement of all time....

Eclipse is nice, but I prefer Dev C++ myself.... any hope of ever using that with FRC?

[jhnphm]

Bah! IDEs are for the weak. Makefiles 4Life!!!

[Greg McCoy]

Bah! IDEs are for the weak. Makefiles 4Life!!!
The Eclipse CDT thing lets you use makefiles...in fact, I think if you're using something other than the GNU tools, you have to use a makefile.

[Astronouth7303]

The Eclipse CDT thing lets you use makefiles...in fact, I think if you're using something other than the GNU tools, you have to use a makefile.
You can specify a tool to run. Just has to accept arguments similar to GNU make. Jam, for example, can be used.

I noticed that the makefile posted in the other thread doesn't handle asm files. How can one remedy this?

[tux]

I think requiring any particular environment is quite poor.

Luckily people have done some great work to create tools to allow us to use our own chosen systems.

Personally, I use kate (the KDE Advanced Text Editor) and a Makefile expanded from the one I found here:
http://adambots-live.sf.net/

Providing great (standardized, open, free, interchangeable) tools instead of mediocre "environments" is much appreciated.

[dasRatsel]

k -- well - i have it all figured out for those that are as in the dark as i was...
needed files:
eclipse : http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/index.php
C tool : http://update.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/new/zips/2.1.1/org.eclipse.cdt-2.1.1-win32.x86.zip
-and-
http://update.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/new/zips/2.1.1/org.eclipse.cdt.sdk-2.1.1-win32.x86.zip
compiler: mcc18 (provided from first)
make tool: mingw32 http://prdownloads.sf.net/mingw/MinGW-3.2.0-rc-3.exe?download


'n' once its all installed, make sure they're all set under ur PATH variable and when you create a new project, make sure u set the make command to use mingw32-make

i use mingw 'cause its got g++ built in, so i c'n use it to make non-first related programs aswell

and you will need something similar to that makefile example on the thread above

~Xavier

[Astronouth7303]

k -- well - i have it all figured out for those that are as in the dark as i was...
needed files:
eclipse : http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/index.php
C tool : http://update.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/new/zips/2.1.1/org.eclipse.cdt-2.1.1-win32.x86.zip
-and-
http://update.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/new/zips/2.1.1/org.eclipse.cdt.sdk-2.1.1-win32.x86.zip
compiler: mcc18 (provided from first)
make tool: mingw32 http://prdownloads.sf.net/mingw/MinGW-3.2.0-rc-3.exe?download


It's much easier to use Eclipse's internal update mechanism than it is to try to download a file outside of eclipse and installing it.

Trust me. It's just not worth it.

[Goldeye]

Biggest understatement of all time....

Eclipse is nice, but I prefer Dev C++ myself.... any hope of ever using that with FRC?

With a fair bit of tinkering, it should be possible to use DevC++. If I recall, it uses mingw, so it should be able set the compiler to mcc18 in project options or the like.
Making the makefiles yourself is easy once you know how -_-

[prograid]

I'm actually working on this since a lot of people have complained about this. It seems most people don't actually know how makefiles and make utilities work, so it seems to me that using the managed make feature in Eclipse's CDT would work best. I'm writing a plugin for eclipse to do this. At this point I have added support for the C18 compiler. However, I'm still workig on the linker.

[Ryan M.]

I'm actually working on this since a lot of people have complained about this. It seems most people don't actually know how makefiles and make utilities work, so it seems to me that using the managed make feature in Eclipse's CDT would work best. I'm writing a plugin for eclipse to do this. At this point I have added support for the C18 compiler. However, I'm still workig on the linker.Cool deal! Although I do know how makefiles work and how to make them, it would be even better to have that automated. :)

[prograid]

I've finally finished my work on the eclipse plugin that allows you to use the manged build feature for eclipse. All it actually is, is an xml file that you stick in the plugins directory of your eclipse installation. Here are the instructions:

1. First download the basic eclipse installation. (At this point I am using Eclipse SDK 3.02) You can get it here.Eclipse Foundation website (http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/three.php) Just unzip the file to wherever you want it to go.

2. Next install mingw (if you're on windows) If linux install, some sort of gcc collection that includes GNU make. If you're on a Mac, sorry I don't know what to do. Anyway, you can MinGW from this site (http://mingw.sourceforge.net/download.shtml). Click on File List and then click on the current release of MinGW. (As of the time I'm writing this the current release is MinGW-3.1.0-1.exe) Make sure that your path has C:\minGW\bin by rightclicking on My Computer, properties, advanced, envrionment variables, system variables, path.

3. Start up eclipse, you'll probably get a welcome screen and everything. Go to the Help menu select Software Updates and then Find and Install, Select Search for new features to install and click Next. Click New Remote Site to add an update site with the URL:

http://download.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/new

Download the latest version of the CDT SDK (not runtime) (I'm currently using 2.1.1) By the way CDT doesn't work with Windows ME or Windows 98.

4. Finally, download plugin.zip and unzip the folder within to the plugins directory of your eclipse installation. Restart eclipse.


To make a project. Click on file new project managed make C project. Uncheck the use default button and browse to the folder containing the code you're working on.
Give your project a name (it doesn't have to be the same as the folder containing your code, then click next.
On the following screen choose Microchip Embedded Systems from the dropdown menu. (i know its an odd name. the reason i chose was in case i felt like adding support for other microchip processors later) Make sure that both FRC Debug and FRC Release are checked.
Click on finish (not next).
Delete everything other than the two lib files the source and header files, and the linker file (extension .lkr).
Next, go to project, properties (if its grayed out, make sure you've got your project selected) and click on C/C++ Build on the left side.
Choose miscellaneous from the MPLINK linker settings and add your linker file by clicking on the little yellow plus signs next to where it says "Linker File". Unfortuanately you have type the path in yourself. There's no browse feature. Do the same for the library below. Choose either FRC_library.lib or FRC_altimeters.lib. For both of these options make sure that only one library/linker file is selected, or else bad stuff happens. Now click on build all from the project menu and you're ready. Errors during compilation should show up in the problems menu at the bottom of your screen. Errors during linking will be the last thing in the console after a build. The equivalent of make is build all in eclipse. The equivalent of build all is clean. I know its weird but that's how it works. In addition if you would like to build the project each time you save changes check build automatically from the project menu.

[dasRatsel]

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW!!!!!

k - - nuff of the randomness -- using a managed make saves me a bunch of heartache -- thanks

but question -- if anybody knows exactly what utils one needs to program the robot in linux (like linux versions of , ifiLoader and C18) that'd be great. I found this one site that was hosted by sourceforge -- but i couldn't find out how to download it...thanks

~Xavier

[tux]

> what utils one needs to program the robot in linux

start here:
http://adambots-live.sourceforge.net/

join the mailing list too:
http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/adambots-live-support

Very low volume now, but hopefully will pick up as next
year's competition gets closer.

[dasRatsel]

yea -- bout that wiki site -- i c'n never figure out just how to actually find the download link f'r the graphical pic loader (gtk) / WINE wrapper 'n' all that jazz -- i also cant find em on sourceforge .. so .. uh...

[tux]

> i c'n never figure out just how to actually find the download link f'r the graphical pic loader

I've never seen a graphical pic loader for linux.


> WINE wrapper

I've never seen a wrapper either. There is a gentoo ebuild that sets up mplab, and there is a Makefile.

I usually just keep a text console open in the directory and do:

make
make load
make read

[dasRatsel]

uh -- ok -- so that adam bots thing is just a joke?

anyway -- i'm intreagued by the ebuild -- i'm guessin its not in portage by default -- where c'n i get it?

~xavier

[tux]

> uh -- ok -- so that adam bots thing is just a joke?

You mean this one?
http://adambots-live.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/view/Main/PicloaderFrontends

I don't think it is a joke... more like a plan.


> anyway -- i'm intreagued by the ebuild -- i'm guessin its not in portage by default -- where c'n i get it?

Try their cvs repo. I believe that is where I got it:
http://sourceforge.net/cvs/?group_id=118894

First make a new directory, then go in there and ...

cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/adambots-live login

When it asks for a password, press enter. Then ...

cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/adambots-live co -P .

Yes, you need the dot at the end of the line.

[dasRatsel]

ahhh -- so close -- so close

k -- i finally managed to emerge everything (after some doing since the digest files were corrupt or somethin like that) 'n' i got a hold of the make files that should make things work --- which leads to a rather curious problem:
i keep getting a make error on the line that says "include .conf/*" where it says no such file or directory
so i comment out the two lines that say that (one at the top / one at the bottom) and when i try to "make all" it says:
/bin/sh: line 1: .conf/00all_targets: No such file or directory
make: *** [update_targets] Error 1
make: Target `all' not remade because of errors.

again with that .conf directory -- what's up with that? -- i cant even begin to imagine what it might be...please help

~Xavier

PS: thanks for indulging my new found desire to get this working in linux

[prograid]

ahhh -- so close -- so close

k -- i finally managed to emerge everything (after some doing since the digest files were corrupt or somethin like that) 'n' i got a hold of the make files that should make things work --- which leads to a rather curious problem:
i keep getting a make error on the line that says "include .conf/*" where it says no such file or directory
so i comment out the two lines that say that (one at the top / one at the bottom) and when i try to "make all" it says:
/bin/sh: line 1: .conf/00all_targets: No such file or directory
make: *** [update_targets] Error 1
make: Target `all' not remade because of errors.

again with that .conf directory -- what's up with that? -- i cant even begin to imagine what it might be

Are you using the managed make feature I else or are you using somthing else?

If you are using linux you probably should be downloading GNU Make instead of MinGW. Other than that things should work fine.

[dasRatsel]

yea -- i'm just GNU make -- the problem is in that .conf/* thing -- did i forget to configure something ?

[prograid]

yea -- i'm just GNU make -- the problem is in that .conf/* thing -- did i forget to configure something ?

Oh I just realized something, try changing the make command from mingw32-make to make. Select your project. Go to project, properties, C/C++ Build and change your build command to make.

[tux]

>> i keep getting a make error on the line that says "include .conf/*" where it says no such file or directory

You may need to create that directory, and create a blank file in there. Try the updated Makefile that I posted to the mailing list. It should be in the mailing list archives.
http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_id=7063424&forum_id=44800

The update is a bit more involved, as it creates a python script to parse out the messages when you have an error during the compile.

>> yea -- i'm just GNU make -- the problem is in that .conf/* thing -- did i forget to configure something ?
> Oh I just realized something, try changing the make command from mingw32-make to make.

This whole thread is really off-topic here. I do not believe he is trying to use eclipse at all. Sorry. You should probably take any adambots questions to their mailing list, or else start a new thread here.

[prograid]

>> i keep getting a make error on the line that says "include .conf/*" where it says no such file or directory

You may need to create that directory, and create a blank file in there. Try the updated Makefile that I posted to the mailing list. It should be in the mailing list archives.
http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_id=7063424&forum_id=44800

The update is a bit more involved, as it creates a python script to parse out the messages when you have an error during the compile.

>> yea -- i'm just GNU make -- the problem is in that .conf/* thing -- did i forget to configure something ?
> Oh I just realized something, try changing the make command from mingw32-make to make.

This whole thread is really off-topic here. I do not believe he is trying to use eclipse at all. Sorry. You should probably take any adambots questions to their mailing list, or else start a new thread here.
I'm pretty sure that he is trying to use eclipse. I'm assuming he's using the plugin I wrote for eclipse. The plugin generates a makefile for you that's supposed to work with GNU Make.

[dasRatsel]

yea -- sorry for not being very discriptive -- i wasnt actually using the plugin f'r that error -- i just added the .conf directory 'n' put all the files that the makefile wanted -- but now i get make errors when it tries to compile the .o files -- it simply says Error 1

so i tried the plugin and it compiles well enough -- problem is when it hits the linker -- it claims it cant find mplink -- i even tried adding wine to the command // adding the full path // doing both at the same time // even using _mplink.exe == nothing works -- what am i doing wrong now?

thanks

~xavier

[dasRatsel]

blah -- ok --

Linking... -
Done!


Finished building: FRCfalcon.hex
Build complete for project falcon

so i got it working with the eclipse plugin - trick is the makefile for the wine-wrapper wasnt written right so it only installed mcc18 and not mplink --- it claims everything was successful -- the only thing it complained over was the lack of /etc/mcc-wrapper/mplink.conf file and i shoud run mcc-setup (which i couldn't find) but it seemed ok without it -- and i'm rather curious -- where did it put the hex? -- i've searched my entire disk 'n' i cant find it --[cant find a cod or cof files either]

~xavier

[prograid]

the only thing it complained over was the lack of /etc/mcc-wrapper/mplink.conf file and i shoud run mcc-setup (which i couldn't find) but it seemed ok without it -- and i'm rather curious -- where did it put the hex? -- i've searched my entire disk 'n' i cant find it --[cant find a cod or cof files either]

Check the FRC Debug or FRC Release, (you'll probably have FRC Debug) folder of you Eclipse project. It should be there along with a cof file. (Cod file generation is supressed by default in my plugin since you can't debug with MPSIM in Eclipse anyway). The *.o files and a map file should be there also.

[dasRatsel]

yea -- nothin -- did i forget to set some variable to tell it to make the output file or something?

linker output:
Building target: FRCfalcon.hex
mplink /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr /aINHX32 /o FRCfalcon.hex encoder.o gyro.o ifi_startup.o ifi_utilities.o main.o pid.o printf_lib.o robot.o user_routines.o user_routines_fast.o /l/opt/mcc18/lib /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/FRC_alltimers.lib
WARNING: Cannot find /etc/mcc-wrapper/mplink.conf. Run mcc-setup
Microchip Linker
Linux WINE wrapper version CVS-HEAD
Copyright (c) 2004 Adambots-Live
http://adambots-live.sourceforge.net

(oh yea -- is there a way to supress those things that say compiling -- they're just junking up the output window to the point where i cant read the outputs from the compiler 'n' linker)

[prograid]

yea -- nothin -- did i forget to set some variable to tell it to make the output file or something?

linker output:
Building target: FRCfalcon.hex
mplink /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr /aINHX32 /o FRCfalcon.hex encoder.o gyro.o ifi_startup.o ifi_utilities.o main.o pid.o printf_lib.o robot.o user_routines.o user_routines_fast.o /l/opt/mcc18/lib /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/FRC_alltimers.lib
WARNING: Cannot find /etc/mcc-wrapper/mplink.conf. Run mcc-setup
Microchip Linker
Linux WINE wrapper version CVS-HEAD
Copyright (c) 2004 Adambots-Live
http://adambots-live.sourceforge.net


Do you think that you could post a screen shot of Eclipse after it has done building? Expand all the folders in your project under the C/C++ Projects column.

(oh yea -- is there a way to supress those things that say compiling -- they're just junking up the output window to the point where i cant read the outputs from the compiler 'n' linker)

I'm not sure if you're asking about this, but try this:
Go to the project menu and select properties. Go to C/C++ Build and selct miscellaneous under C18 Compiler. Uncheck verbose output.

By the way, compiler (not linker) errors and warnings should show up at the bottom of of the screen under the problems tab. If it doesn't click on the little button at the right that has an arrow on it. A window saying filters should show up. Make sure that C/C++ Problems is checked.

[dasRatsel]

hmmm -- sry -- i dont really know how to take screenshots w/ KDE ... but here's what i got:
FRC Debug
|-> all *.o files
|-> makefile
|-> objects.mk
|-> source.mk
|-> subdir.mk

.cdtbuild
.cdtproject
.project
18f8520user.lkr
all *.h files
all *.c files
FRC_altimers.lib
FTC_library.lib
README.txt

i went into windows land and successfully compiled -- but at the end of the windows output there was the output for the mp2hex program -- i dont get that in linux -- i'm guessing thats my problem -- but why doesnt the linux build run that program?

[tux]

> hmmm -- sry -- i dont really know how to take screenshots w/ KDE ...

ctrl-print for a desktop screenshot
alt-print for a window screenshot

(of course you then need to paste in to some program that knows how to accept that clipboard item. Something like kword works nicely)

Or, if you want to use a program, you can use GIMP or KSnapshot to take your screenshots.


Regarding the verbose output. I rewrote the adambots Makefile to be much quieter (see previous post for link) but of course I am not using eclipse, so I think it is a different issue.

[dasRatsel]

here's the shot (in 2 parts)

[prograid]

Regarding the verbose output. I rewrote the adambots Makefile to be much quieter (see previous post for link) but of course I am not using eclipse, so I think it is a different issue.

Just to let you know, the plugin he's using automatically generates a makefile to be used with Microchip's software. I'm thinking the problem might have something to do with Windows' directory structure and its difference from Linux. I'll make a few changes to the plugin for Linux and post it in a bit.

[prograid]

Do you think that you could give me the exact path of of the header files and libraries included with the C18 compiler? It'll help with altering the plugin for linux.

Thanks,
Ben

[dasRatsel]

everything is pretty much in /opt/mcc18

headers -- /opt/mcc18/h
libraries -- /opt/mcc18/lib
linker ----- /opt/mcc18/lkr
compiler linker etc... /opt/mcc18/bin
mpasm --- /opt/mcc18/mpasm

if u need any other directories just lemme know

~Xavier

[Ryan M.]

For the CDT, do we want the SDK or the other thing? (or both) They both say "runtime" in the description. :confused: I can just try it, I suppose. :)

Thanks for your work on this, prograid.

--EDIT--
It appears the SDK includes the other part, so my question is basically answered.

--EDIT--
Well... I got it mostly working once, but I deleted the project and tried to move it down to hte root directory. :/ Now when I go in to set my linker options, I get this:

Image removed because of solution to problem.

The project title comes from me getting angry. :)

[prograid]

everything is pretty much in /opt/mcc18

headers -- /opt/mcc18/h
libraries -- /opt/mcc18/lib
linker ----- /opt/mcc18/lkr
compiler linker etc... /opt/mcc18/bin
mpasm --- /opt/mcc18/mpasm

if u need any other directories just lemme know

The linker in /opt/mcc18/bin is still called mplink right and the compiler is mcc18, right?

In addition, i'm not too familiar with Linux, but have you added /opt/mcc18/bin to your path.

I'll try including the entire path in the plugin.

Well... I got it mostly working once, but I deleted the project and tried to move it down to hte root directory. :/ Now when I go in to set my linker options...

First, just try restarting eclipse. The plugin is sometimes just finicky. It might fix the problem. Anyway, are you having any problems opening your source code from inside eclipse, if this is happening try creating another new project, you can delete the old one.
If none of this works, check where you have installed eclipse. C:\directories \eclipse\workspace This is probably your default workspace. Try moving the entire eclipse folder to the root. That way you can put your robotics projects in your default workspace. If you have broadband (or still have the original zip file download from eclipse), you'd probably be better off unzipping the zip file from eclipse into the new directory and redownloading the CDT SDK (you were right about that) and reinstalling my plug-in. Then try creating a new project and importing your robotics code into it:
Click on file, import and then select file system and click next.
Choose the directory in which your code is stored. Select all the *.c, *.h, *.lib, and 18f8520user.lkr files. Then click finish.

Now try changing linker settings. Some you can't change but most you can. most of the functionality is for the compiler right now. If you would like to change something by your self check out the Managed Build Extensibility reference document that came with the CDT (it's in the help menu). If you think any other additional features would be useful PM me.

[Ryan M.]

Most odd... I had deleted the project, but that doesn't remove the actual project (not source) files. When I created the "new" project after that, it didn't clean the messed up project files, so it must have just corrupted somehow.

Well, got it working. If I can find the MCC compiler. ;)

Thanks for all your work on this This thread gets a sig spot. :D

[prograid]

Most odd... I had deleted the project, but that doesn't remove the actual project (not source) files. When I created the "new" project after that, it didn't clean the messed up project files, so it must have just corrupted somehow.

Well, got it working. If I can find the MCC compiler. ;)

Thanks for all your work on this This thread gets a sig spot. :D
Just out of curiosity, how did you fix the problem, did you create a new project in a new directory, or somehow delete everything from outside eclipse and create the project in a new directory.

And about the compiler, have you simply not installed it or is it a problem with eclipse?

[Ryan M.]

Just out of curiosity, how did you fix the problem, did you create a new project in a new directory, or somehow delete everything from outside eclipse and create the project in a new directory.I "deleted" the project from inside Eclipse (choosing the "leave files" option), then removed all the Eclipse project files from the folder. There's 3 files which begin with a period (hidden under linux, I assume), and one folder.

And about the compiler, have you simply not installed it or is it a problem with eclipse?I don't have it installed. I'll have to yank in from my laptop. :)

[dasRatsel]

yea --- 's called mplink.exe (there's also _mplink.exe, i'm not quite sure what that is .. but yea). and i haven't tried adding it to my path -- i thought i'd tried everlything -- i'll check when i get home and let u know if it helped any

thanks
~Xavier

[prograid]

yea --- 's called mplink.exe (there's also _mplink.exe, i'm not quite sure what that is .. but yea). and i haven't tried adding it to my path -- i thought i'd tried everlything -- i'll check when i get home and let u know if it helped any

thanks
~Xavier
Just clarifying, but this is found in opt/mcc18/bin right?

[dasRatsel]

yea -- no dice when adding it to the $PATH

something kinda funny i noticed though ::
mplink.exe and mcc18.exe are in /opt/mcc18/bin/
but mplink and mcc without the .exe extention are in /usr/bin directory

but of course the files mp2hex.exe and _mplink.exe are only found in /opt/mcc18/bin

thanks

~Xavier

PS: its still complaining that there's no /etc/mcc-wrapper/mplink.conf and i should run mcc-setup == i dont have mcc-setup anywhere -- and it's only stated as a "warning" -- this couldn't be part of the problem -- could it?

[Ryan M.]

Well, almost complete success here. :)

The only flaw I have right now is the fact that rm doesn't exist under windows, so a clean doesn't actually work. But hey... that's minor.

[prograid]

Well, almost complete success here. :)

The only flaw I have right now is the fact that rm doesn't exist under windows, so a clean doesn't actually work. But hey... that's minor.
What problems are you having with clean? It doesn't actually clean for me. What is does when I say clean is delete the entire configuration folder (the one that says either FRC Debug or FRC Release) and then rebuild it. I'm using windows too.

[Ryan M.]

What problems are you having with clean? It doesn't actually clean for me. What is does when I say clean is delete the entire configuration folder (the one that says either FRC Debug or FRC Release) and then rebuild it. I'm using windows too.It gets to "CreateProces( (null), rm files.etc)" near the beginning of the clean, then says "error, file does not exist." I'm assuming it's talking about rm, because I know that doesn't exist under Windows.

P.S. I'm working on creating an NSIS (http://nsis.sourceforge.net/home/) for this. It should be a quick way to install MCC18, MinGW, and Eclipse with all the necessary plugins. The one thing I'm going to check on is if I'm able to distribute MCC18 as part of the package. It;s probably prohibited. If anyone knows, I'd be extremely tickled if you'd share. :)

[prograid]

yea -- no dice when adding it to the $PATH
It seems like it may be a problem with your installation of the linker. Try running the linker at the linux equivalent of command prompt. If that works see what the differences are between that and the Eclipse console. If running it from the command line doesn't work, then it's not a problem with eclipse.

It gets to "CreateProces( (null), rm files.etc)" near the beginning of the clean, then says "error, file does not exist." I'm assuming it's talking about rm, because I know that doesn't exist under Windows.

Well, you were right. I edited the plugin so that it now uses del /f instead of rm. I checked it out and there are no more of the CreateProcess(...) errors. The new version is in the attachment below.

This fix only applies to windows not linux. It will stop working if you use this version of the plugin for linux.

By the way, if you want the new plugin to work, delete the old one and any projects created with that plugin. You can copy the source code somewhere else, but project files need to go. Also delete the following

* /configuration/org.eclipse.osgi/manifests (this is a directory)
* /configuration/org.eclipse.osgi/.bundledata (this is a file)
* /configuration/org.eclipse.osgi/.state (this is a file)

Then restart eclipse.


P.S. I'm working on creating an NSIS (http://nsis.sourceforge.net/home/) for this. It should be a quick way to install MCC18, MinGW, and Eclipse with all the necessary plugins. The one thing I'm going to check on is if I'm able to distribute MCC18 as part of the package. It maybe prohibited. If anyone knows, I'd be extremely tickled if you'd share. :)

I don't think Microchip would appreciate you distributing an installer for their proprietary compiler. If it were possible, you should make the compiler install MinGW ask the user for the location of the C18 installer (or check to see if it is already installed), run that installer, and then install eclipse.

[Ryan M.]

Well, you were right. I edited the plugin so that it now uses del /f instead of rm. I checked it out and there are no more of the CreateProcess(...) errors. The new version is in the attachment below.Cool. Thanks.

I don't think Microchip would appreciate you distributing an installer for their proprietary compiler. If it were possible, you should make the compiler install MinGW ask the user for the location of the C18 installer (or check to see if it is already installed), run that installer, and then install eclipse.That's what I'm figuring. Fortunately, I don't even have to worry about where the compiler is installed... I think. It does set the PATH up, correct?

[Ryan M.]

Ok... almost got my installer working. It installs everything, sets up the PATH, but I get:**** Full rebuild of configuration FRC Debug for project FIRST ****

Build error
(Exec error:Launching failed)when I try to build.

What exactly fails there? This is a on a seperate laptop (not the desktop I've had working with Eclipse before).

-- EDIT --
There's a nice size savings with the installer. 111MB versus the 250MB of files it installs. :)

[prograid]

Ok... almost got my installer working. It installs everything, sets up the PATH, but I get:**** Full rebuild of configuration FRC Debug for project FIRST ****

Build error
(Exec error:Launching failed)when I try to build.

What exactly fails there? This is a on a seperate laptop (not the desktop I've had working with Eclipse before).

-- EDIT --
There's a nice size savings with the installer. 111MB versus the 250MB of files it installed. :)
The only thing that I can think of at the moment is that you didn't add the path for MinGW, it should be C:\MinGW\bin.
I don't know if this should matter, but did you install MinGW, Eclipse, CDT, and then my plugin in that order?

[Ryan M.]

The only thing that I can think of at the moment is that you didn't add the path for MinGW, it should be C:MinGWbin.
I don't know if this should matter, but did you install MinGW, Eclipse, CDT, and then my plugin in that order?Ok... I restarted after discovering a mysterious error which wouldn't let me open Firefox (something about "A previous installation must complete before this program may be run." Never seen it before, other than installers.)

Anyways, I was able to completely build (with no errors) our source code from this year.

If anyone would like to do some testing for me, there are two ways to get the installer (it's a 111MB download, be advised)

Download it using a BitTorrent (http://www.bittorrent.com/) client (I prefer Azureus (http://azureus.sourceforge.net/)) by opening up the torrent file at http://traherom.homeunix.net:6969/torrents/Setup.exe.torrent?419D7BEC32CF4DBD621009AF422002FA 7B8E35A7. If you download it this way please leave your BitTorrent client open so others can benefit from it!
If that BitTorrent is giving you problems, you can download it directly from me at http://traherom.homeunix.net/setup.exe. The BitTorrent will probably be faster, as my max upload speed is only 50 k/b (usually more like 30 :rolleyes: ).


Other miscellaneous notes:

To use it, you must install/have installed the MCC18 compiler.
I still can't get a normal C++ project to build. ("Exec error: launching failed") If anyone doesn't have the problem, solves the problem, or even just has an idea of what the problem is... could you tell? :)
The thing seems "finicky," as stated by prograid. Not sure why.
It required a restart (of the comp, not just Eclipse) for it to get to work for me. Try that. Don't know why, may have been some weird memory corruption thing my laptop does. It has issues. :)
You must still do the steps (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=387483&postcount=14) prograid gives to create a new project. Just start after the installation is complete. :) I may add a readme of how to make a new project into the installer later.
I think the license has a misspelling. Oh well. It just tells you that if you shoot yourself in the foot, it's your fault. :D


-- EDIT --
Sorry it the server was done there for a bit. My router has been really flakey lately.

[prograid]

To use it, you must install/have installed the MCC18 compiler (included with MPLAB).

Actually, it's a separate installation. You should have gotten it off of the Microchip FTP site at the beginning of the build season. You can also use the stripped down version included in the CD that came in the kit of parts, but it won't compile camera code.

[dasRatsel]

oh dear -- ur right -- my problem is somewhat more intricate than i thought -- i suppose i'll just cross my fingers and hope somebody from the adam-bots sees this post::

i ran this in the command prompt:

mplink /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr /aINHX32 /m Mapfile.map /o FRCfalcon.hex encoder.o gyro.o ifi_startup.o ifi_utilities.o main.o pid.o printf_lib.o robot.o user_routines.o user_routines_fast.o /l/opt/mcc18/lib /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/FRC_alltimers.lib

and got this ->
bash-2.05b# mplink /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr /aINHX32 /m Mapfile.map /o FRCfalcon.hex encoder.o gyro.o ifi_startup.o ifi_utilities.o main.o pid.o printf_lib.o robot.o user_routines.o user_routines_fast.o /l "/opt/mcc18/lib" /Files/FIRST/code/falcon/FRC_alltimers.lib
Microchip Linker
Linux WINE wrapper version CVS-HEAD
Copyright (c) 2004 Adambots-Live
http://adambots-live.sourceforge.net

Done!

/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 1: //: is a directory
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 2: //: is a directory
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 3: //: is a directory
: command not foundalcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 4:
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 5: LIBPATH: command not found
: command not foundalcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 6:
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 7: //FILES: No such file or directory
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 8: FILES: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 9: FILES: command not found
: command not foundalcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 10:
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 11: CODEPAGE: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 12: CODEPAGE: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 13: CODEPAGE: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 14: CODEPAGE: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 15: CODEPAGE: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 16: CODEPAGE: command not found
: command not foundalcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 17:
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 18: ACCESSBANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 19: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 20: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 21: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 22: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 23: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 24: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 25: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 26: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 27: DATABANK: command not found
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 28: ACCESSBANK: command not found
: command not foundalcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 29:
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 30: SECTION: command not found
: command not foundalcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 31:
/Files/FIRST/code/falcon/18f8520user.lkr: line 32: STACK: command not found

to get this output i had to create /etc/mcc-wrapper/mcc18.conf that is just an empty dummy file

included is my .lkr file

any help would be appreciated
thanks

~Xavier

[prograid]

I still can't get a normal C++ project to build. ("Exec error: launching failed") If anyone doesn't have the problem, solves the problem, or even just has an idea of what the problem is... could you tell? :)

I just realized that when you try to create a new C++ project (either standard or managed make) the default make command is make. You have to change it to mingw32-make. If you don't want to have to change this every time you create a new project, you can add a new system variable called make and make it equal to mingw32-make.

This problem will happen whether you have used the installer from Ryan M. or not.

[Ryan M.]

I just realized that when you try to create a new C++ project (either standard or managed make) the default make command is make. You have to change it to mingw32-make. If you don't want to have to change this every time you create a new project, you can add a new system variable called make and make it equal to mingw32-make.Hm... odd. Somehow my desktop worked fine without that. Must have picked something else up.

Thanks for the info. :)

[WizardOfAz]

I've been using Eclipse for java in my day job for a couple of years. Finally got tired of the minimal functionality of MPLAB as an IDE and looked for some help getting going with Eclipse for FRC code. Also, we've started using CVS on the team to share and backup code, so of course Eclipse is quite nice for this with its integrated CVS support. So I was very happy to find this thread with lots of good info.

I got a basic setup working. However, in recent years we've had the practice on Team 1011 of using multiple MPLAB mcp files to produce hex files for different purposes. Basically the two motivations for this are:
(1) to produce a version that works with either the FRC or EDURC. We use the cheaper EDURC on some of our prototype bots and want to have the same code base for an EDURC and a FRC version.
(2) to produce derivative loadable codes that share most .c and .h files, for example, to make a diagnostic code distinct from a functional code.

For the first case, using different build configurations works out pretty well. As with the mcp files under MPLAB, I can use the different build configurations to define a preprocessor variable EDURC that can be used where needed in the code (not many places) when the behavior or I/O usages needs to be different between the EDURC and FRC versions. I also have different include and search paths to get the .h and .lib files appropriate for either the EDURC or the FRC.

I haven't quite figured out how to accomplish the second case. The closest I got was to make a main project and then have other derivative projects that refer to the main one for most files. I can get as far as sharing .h files and .lib files, by making search paths in the derivative project that refer to the main project. But I don't see how to get it to find .o files needed by the derivative project that are located in the main project. And you won't want all the .o files - just the ones that are required to resolve link time references. E.g. you don't want the .o file that contains "main" from the main project if you have a definition for "main" in the derivative project.

One way to fix this would be to have the main project create a .lib of it's .o files, then have the derivative project refer to that .lib. I guess this is pretty straight forward enhancement to the makefile generator. I'm going to look at doing that - unless somebody out there has better advice.

Thanks
Bill Bennett
CRUSH 1011

[prograid]

Wow! I though this thread was dead. Well , anyway, I'm not exactly sure what you mean when you say

(2) to produce derivative loadable codes that share most .c and .h files, for example, to make a diagnostic code distinct from a functional code.

I think you mean that you're using dependent projects to edit only certain files, but I'm not really sure.

[WizardOfAz]

Yeah, the derivative projects thing is mostly about changing only a few of the files, and not wanting the changes to be done to the files in the main code that will run the real bot. The best example is the diagnostic load we wrote in 2004. We had a four wheel steered drive system, lots of controls on the OI, and wanted a diag code that exercised all that stuff but would not be extra code in the competition load. So we forked off a few files into a diagnostic program, and inherited all the rest. This is what doesn't seem exactly simple in the eclipse way of doing this. Although it's easy with eclipse in java, not so with this C setup.

Bill

[coastertux]

When I build I get a .hex file but also get the following error:
make * CreateProcess((null), rm ./dehs1640.o ./encoder.o ./ifi_startup.o ./ifi_utilities.o ./main.o ./pid.o ./printf_lib.o ./robot.o ./user_SerialDrv.o ./user_camera.o ./user_routines.o ./user_routines_fast.o FRCFRC2005.hex, ...) failed. The system cannot find the file specified.

[prograid]

When I build I get a .hex file but also get the following error:
make * CreateProcess((null), rm ./dehs1640.o ./encoder.o ./ifi_startup.o ./ifi_utilities.o ./main.o ./pid.o ./printf_lib.o ./robot.o ./user_SerialDrv.o ./user_camera.o ./user_routines.o ./user_routines_fast.o FRCFRC2005.hex, ...) failed. The system cannot find the file specified.
Are you using the first plugin I posted or the second one? If you are on windows rm does not exist, so you will get that error, it shouldn't make a difference in your program (e.g. your HEX file won't be corrupted or anything), but if you are annoyed by it either use the second plugin included (should say version 1.0.1 or something like that).

However, you're probably best off using the plugin in the whitepaper I posted. It has fixed that problem so it works in Windows and it has separate configurations for the Robovation Kit and FRC controller.
See my signature for a link to the whitepaper.

[coastertux]

Are you using the first plugin I posted or the second one? If you are on windows rm does not exist, so you will get that error, it shouldn't make a difference in your program (e.g. your HEX file won't be corrupted or anything), but if you are annoyed by it either use the second plugin included (should say version 1.0.1 or something like that).

However, you're probably best off using the plugin in the whitepaper I posted. It has fixed that problem so it works in Windows and it has separate configurations for the Robovation Kit and FRC controller.
See my signature for a link to the whitepaper.

So that error is ok? And I should use the whitepaper plugin? The whole plugin is not in the whitepaper (it is in that separate zip file). Should I use 1.0 or 1.0.1? Both give the error.

[prograid]

So that error is ok? And I should use the whitepaper plugin? The whole plugin is not in the whitepaper (it is in that separate zip file). Should I use 1.0 or 1.0.1? Both give the error.

The error shouldn't actually hurt anything but it's annoying.
That's odd 1.01 should not give the error, did you delete 1.00 first?
Then start eclipse with the option -clean
(i.e. Go to the command prompt, navigate to the directory in which you find eclipse.exe and type eclipse -clean.)
Also, what version of Eclipse/CDT are you using? You should have version 3.1.1 of Eclipse and version 3.0.1. of the CDT

The plug-in included in the white paper is the entire thing. You don't need anything from this thread. The plug-in is just packaged as a jar file (new for Eclipse 3.1). The white paper itself (which is a PDF) has installation instructions for everything you need to use eclipse.

[coastertux]

When I just put the jar file (from the whitepaper) in the plugin directory the Microchip option when creating a project does not show up. Am I not placing it right or do I need to get eclipse to do something to recgonize it?

[prograid]

When I just put the jar file (from the whitepaper) in the plugin directory the Microchip option when creating a project does not show up. Am I not placing it right or do I need to get eclipse to do something to recgonize it?
Did you try using eclipse -clean after doing so?

If that doesn't work I'm stuck.
And sorry about not replying to your post in the whitepaper discussion. For some reason you can't put whitepaper discussions in the portal.

[coastertux]

This is what I did:
I put the .jar file in the plugins folder, did eclipse -clean and still nothing...
Should I use plugin 1.0.1 or is there something else I can do for the jar plugin?

[prograid]

This is what I did:
I put the .jar file in the plugins folder, did eclipse -clean and still nothing...
Should I use plugin 1.0.1 or is there something else I can do for the jar plugin?
You are sure that you are using eclipse 3.1 or higher because jar plugins don't work with 3.0?
If you are using 3.0 and you don't want to update you can unzip (?unjar?) the file with a tool like 7-Zip and put the files and folders that you get into a new folder called org.eclipse.cdt.mcc18.toolchain_1.2.0. Then copy the folder into your plugins directory.
(Try this for the jar file anyway if you are using 3.1 and still can't get it to work)

[coastertux]

I am running 3.1 and am using the clean option. The unjarring worked but eclipse still didn't recgonize the plugin...

[coastertux]

I think I many have found the problem...the following isnt in the plugin.xml file from the jar:
<plugin id="org.eclipse.cdt.mcc18.toolchain" name="Microchip C18 Compiler Toolsuite Managed Make Extension" version="1.0.1" provider-name="Benjamin Cherian (Team 254)">
- <runtime>
- <library name="toolchain.jar">
<export name="*" />
</library>
</runtime>
- <requires>
<import plugin="org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core" />
</requires>

[prograid]

I am running 3.1 and am using the clean option. The unjarring worked but eclipse still didn't recgonize the plugin...
Sorry, sorry sorry!
The jar file included with the whitepaper is the wrong one.

Use the attachment in the whitepaper discussion instead.

Just for your information, (or if you don't want to download the attachment)
The Manifest.mf file in the plugin has an extra line at the end that should be deleted. It says:
eclipse-platform-filter: win32

[coastertux]

What attachment?

[prograid]

See my edit

[prograid]

It says to go to the whitepaper discussion. I had already uploaded it there, and the forum won't let me put it here also

[coastertux]

Whats the best way for different team members to work on the same copy of the code using CVS. Will it merge the changes all together? What is the method each person goes about doing this? I already have the original code uploaded to the CVS server.

[prograid]

Whats the best way for different team members to work on the same copy of the code using CVS. Will it merge the changes all together? What is the method each person goes about doing this? I already have the original code uploaded to the CVS server.
Well, first sorry about the problem with the plug-in.

To answer your question:

If you got to file new projct, one of the choices is checkout from CVS.

Check out your code (You'll have to give Eclipse some information about your CVS account, e.g. it's URL, etc), then have someone else do the same thing (with a different user name.)

Tell the other person to make a minor change in their copy of the code. For example, have them add a blank comment line. Then have them check it back in. I believe that if you right click on the project, there will be a selection to check in project.

Then make a change in your copy of the projcect. Check it back in. Eclipse should tell you that the code has been modified since you checked it out and ask you to merge the changes. It will note what files have been modified, and you should be able to compare the files side by side. Eclipse will even show you what lines are different from your's.

Once you have finished merging the changes, you can check the newly revised code back in. In addition to editing the code, I believe that you can also add notes to each revision stating what you have done, so it's easier for other people to know what you've done. (I know this exists in Subversion, I'm not sure about CVS, I haven't used it too often.)

If any of your team member's can't run Eclipse because they have an old computer that won't run a huge Java app, they can use a standalone CVS client like TortoiseCVS.

Good luck.

[Astronouth7303]

Whats the best way for different team members to work on the same copy of the code using CVS?

Have several people check out the code, and commit changes as needed.

Will it merge the changes all together? What is the method each person goes about doing this? I already have the original code uploaded to the CVS server.

First of all, I'm pretty sure this kind of thing is out on the net.

If there is a conflict in files when you commit, CVS will first try to merge the changes (using simple algorithms). Basically, if you edited the beginning and someone else the end, CVS can merge that.

If CVS can't merge it automatically, you will have to do it manually. It's not difficult in the age of graphical diff tools.

[Bryce Yarbrough]

I am the Lead Programmer on my Team and i need help. That does not occur very often. lol. so here goes nothing:

Ok... I am running on a Powerbook G4.. yes it is a mac. Running Tiger.. IF ANYONE knows how to get the eclipse plugin working for the Eclipse Versoin on mac I'd be UBER happy!!! :D It was funny when i came upon this thread because i have been using Eclipse for about a year doing Java Development on it and never thought of using it to code for FIRST. BUT now that i know it can be done... i want to accomplish it on the mac. THERE is a GCC GNU compiler installed on mac.. comes with it.. just how do i link it and set up the plug in for it. OR is there some different route i should be taking to program the robot with a mac other then with eclipse? ANY input would be MUCHO appriciated!!!

Bryce
Team 589
Falk0ns

[Ryan M.]

I can't be sure, but the Linux version of the plugin should work fine, as it isn't compiled for a certain platform. Give it a try... granted, you'll also have to setup MCC18 in /opt/mcc18.

--EDIT--
This (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=412882&postcount=6) may help you with MCC18 setup.

[StevenB]

First, I want to say thanks for all of your work on this. I'll be glad to be rid of MPLAB.
I haven't quite got Eclipse working yet, though...
When I try to compile, I get this error:
Build error
(Exec error:Launching failed)

I'm guessing it can't launch mcc18. I am running this on windows XP, and mcc18 is in C:\mcc18\bin. I can compile projects in MPLAB, so the compiler itself is ok. Any suggestions?

[BradAMiller]

You are correct. Make sure that the path to the mcc18 bin directory is set in your system or user path variable. On XP you can set the path in the System Properties Dialog (right-click properties on My Computer). Then add it to the path in the User variables section. It should be something like:
c:\mcc18\bin; ... then the rest of the stuff that was there.

[prograid]

First, I want to say thanks for all of your work on this. I'll be glad to be rid of MPLAB.
I haven't quite got Eclipse working yet, though...
When I try to compile, I get this error:
Build error
(Exec error:Launching failed)

I'm guessing it can't launch mcc18. I am running this on windows XP, and mcc18 is in C:\mcc18\bin. I can compile projects in MPLAB, so the compiler itself is ok. Any suggestions?
Actually, I don't think it's mcc18. It's mingw32-make. Have you installed MinGW Make or Cygwin? I'd suggest that you read the white paper that I've posted, but don't use the plug-in included in that. It has installation instructions along with instructions on using basic features.

If you don't know what MinGW or Cygwin are I'd suggest you install MinGW make.
Downlad the installation program (http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/mingw/mingw32-make-3.80.0-3.exe?download) and install it.
Then follow BradAMiller's instructions, but instead of adding C:\mcc18\bin (which should be there already if you did the default installation) add C:\MinGW\bin.

Feel free to PM me or email me if you have any other questions.

[Astronouth7303]

Note that even if you install Cygwin (MinGW does munging of flags like /w), you may not have mingw32-make.

Note that if the plugin uses the flag in the form of -w instead, then you're safe.