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Viewing and Modifying Application Data During an MPLAB® X IDE Debug Session

Last modified by Microchip on 2024/06/24 06:30

Available Data

Accessing the data values that the application processes and produces is an essential element of debugging. It can be vital to know what data has been input by the application, as well as how the application's algorithm modifies the data.  

During a debug session, MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provides you the ability to view and modify the following:

  • All Data RAM locations including global and local variables, as well as user-defined data structures
  • Internal CPU and peripheral registers
  • IO port and PIN values
  • Non-volatile program memory
  • Other non-volatile memory, including EEPROM data, configuration bits, and UserID memory values.

Note: With the one exception of runtime watches, the developer can only read or modify data when the application operation is paused during a debug session by either a user command or a breakpoint.   

Windows Used to Access Application Data

MPLAB X IDE has four user interface windows for accessing data:

  • Target Memory Views – allows the developer to read and modify program memory, data memory, EEPROM data, configuration bits, and User ID memory
  • Watches Window – provides access data values with fixed addresses including global variables and device registers
  • Variables Window – accesses all data types available in the Watches window plus local variables
  • IOview – provides easy access to debugging the device peripherals by grouping all registers controlling a peripheral into one window pane

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