Using MPLAB® XC8 Compiler

Microchip’s latest compiler line, MPLAB^® XC Compilers, provides a comprehensive solution for your project’s development software needs and replaces all MPLAB C and HI-TECH compilers. Features of the MPLAB XC8 compiler include:

• Supports all 8-bit PIC^® and AVR^® MCUs
• Integrates with MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to provide a full graphical front end:
  • Editing errors and breakpoints match the corresponding lines in the source code
  • Single step through C source code to inspect variables and structures at critical points
  • Data structures with defined data types, including floating point, display in Watch windows
• Runs on Windows^®, Linux^®, and macOS^®
• Offers different optimization levels to suit your needs with free downloads available

Getting Started

• Install MPLAB XC8 Compiler
• Installing and Licensing XC C Compilers (PDF)

Reference Articles

• XC8 Microcontroller Device Families
• XC8 Defining Large Objects
• Memory Considerations When Using Flash Routines
• Powering Out of Reset
• Selective Code Protection
• Finding the Cause of Reset
• Using Hexmate on the Command Line
• Building XC8 Libraries
• Duplicated Functions
• Blocking External Table Reads
• Customizing User-Defined Sections
• Getting More Optimization out of the MPLAB XC8 Compiler
• Using Code Offset with PIC Devices
• Printing to the UART Console in MPLAB X IDE Simulator
• CRC Checksum Algorithms in Hexmate
• XC8 Common Macros