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Geoffg

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Posted: 05:49pm 12 Sep 2014

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Following a conversation in the thread simplest 32MX150 ICSP I have been experimenting with providing a "plugin" feature for MMBasic.

A plugin is a C or assembler program that can be loaded into MMBasic by a BASIC program. Because the module is written in a compiled or assembled language it can run much faster than a BASIC program and can more easily access the more exotic hardware features of the PIC32 microcontroller.

I have a document describing how to write plugins with an example program. This can be downloaded from:
geoffg.net/Downloads/Micromite/MMBasic_PlugIn.zip

And a beta version of Micromite MMBasic (which supports a plugin) for the MX170 chips can be downloaded from here:
geoffg.net/Downloads/Micromite/Micromite V4.6 Beta 1.zip

This version is essentially the same as V4.5D with the addition of the PLUGIN command so no manual is provided.

I am interested in any comments (good or bad) and especially if a technically adept programmer or two could experiment with the facility (Peter? John?).

Thanks,
Geoff

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

bigmik

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Posted: 06:09pm 12 Sep 2014

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Wow Geoff,

I think this can open up a whole suite of great opportunities here.

I cant wait to see what people come up with.

keep up the good work

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

Grogster

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Posted: 06:15pm 12 Sep 2014

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I thought that you had to understand MIPS(and not many people can) to be able to do this kind of thing?

That was with the MaxiMite though - is the MicroMite different in that regard?
I figured as they are both "PIC32"...

EDIT: Just read the info in the ZIP - You do have to understand MIPS(or C).

Edited by Grogster 2014-09-14

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

Geoffg

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Posted: 06:34pm 12 Sep 2014

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Grogster said I thought that you had to understand MIPS to be able to do this kind of thing?

Using the technique described you only have to know C which is easier than MIPS assembler (although still difficult). The clue was given to me by JohnS and Peter (G8JCF) who pointed me to the plugins for ByPic Basic web page. The Micromite uses essentially the same technique.

This feature could be extended to to the Maximite although it is best suited to the things that Micromites are used for.

Geoff

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
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Posted: 07:22pm 12 Sep 2014

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This might finally get me doing something useful in C.

I assume that as you reserve some memory for C code, we won't be seeing Plugins for the 150 chips?

In the meantime, I should be able to produce a Windows utility to create the plugin data statements.

Jim

VK7JH
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Geoffg

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Posted: 07:59pm 12 Sep 2014

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TassyJim said I assume that as you reserve some memory for C code, we won't be seeing Plugins for the 150 chips?

Precisely.

Geoff

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

plasma
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Posted: 08:32pm 12 Sep 2014

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This cant be ..... Yea thanks Geoff , test it tonight.

plasma
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Posted: 09:01pm 12 Sep 2014

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Ups i cant call mmbasic functions ?

WhiteWizzard
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Posted: 09:41pm 12 Sep 2014

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Brilliant timing - I wrote my first C program two nights ago for a PIC24F purely because the MicroMite wasn't fast enough.

I am still recovering from the 'C' experience - hated it!!! Took all day just to set up and understand the IDE and how to 'structure' a program. Anyway, got an LED flashing after 14 hours, then took another 3 hours to emulate a PS2 keyboard.

The PLUGIN feature will be VERY useful. I won't be able to try it yet as I have to go out today; but I will let you know how it goes . . . .

(back to the C tutorials . . . .)

Grogster

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Posted: 10:09pm 12 Sep 2014

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If you are getting "C" sick, don't forget to take your "C" sickness pills.

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

JohnS
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Posted: 10:24pm 12 Sep 2014

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Geoff,

I flashed it into a 28-pin MX170 and don't get anything on the console uart (pins 11 & 12).

I was expecting a > prompt.

Anyone else tried it?

JohnEdited by JohnS 2014-09-14

twofingers
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Posted: 12:47am 13 Sep 2014

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A few days ago I still thought it would be nice to have something like that for the MAXIMITE. It reminds me of the old C64. They used the "USR" command and POKEs for assembler plugins. One of the secrets of the popularity of the C64, I guess.

Great and useful idea! Thanks @Geoff!

Michael

causality ≠ correlation ≠ coincidence

bigmik

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Posted: 03:15am 13 Sep 2014

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Hi John,

It worked ok for me.

I ran Geoffs sample and received

Hello World
Helmp World

Now i dont speak 'C' but it appears that the Plugin finds the fourth and fifth characters in A$ and adds 1 to them.

I was able to change the routine to add 2 to each character and change which characters changed..

What all this really means s beyond me but I am sure its more important than manipulating a strings contents.

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

viscomjim
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Joined: 08/01/2014
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Posted: 03:56am 13 Sep 2014

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This seems like a brilliant idea. I personally have not ever dealt with C but, if I am reading this correctly, it seems like this could be a great way to write "libraries" for all sorts of devices and functions and pick and choose which "modules" you want to incorporate. The speed factor is also very appealing. This sounds like the uMite could be a contender with other things out there. Time to learn me some C. I hope my old brain can handle this...

Thanks Geoff!!!!!!Edited by viscomjim 2014-09-14

JohnS
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Posted: 04:04am 13 Sep 2014

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Mick,

That's not what I got.

I programmed a MX170 28-pin and get no prompt. I've tried it 3 times, putting back the previous version of MMBasic. (Which works OK.)

Thus I cannot test the plugin feature. I can't test ANY feature of the beta MX170 28-pin MMBasic 4.6.

I'm using pins 11&12 as the serial console, is that right? It works that way for the same chip programmed with 4.5(er, C or D). Has it changed or what?

Did you use a 28-pin MX170?

JohnEdited by JohnS 2014-09-14

WhiteWizzard
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Posted: 04:14am 13 Sep 2014

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Two questions at this stage:

1> How are the Plugin Data numbers generated? i.e. once you have written your C code in MPLabX, what do you then do?

2> Can only one Plugin be incorporated into MMBasic?

Thanks . . . .

WW

bigmik

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Posted: 04:17am 13 Sep 2014

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Yes John,

That is the chip, i only have 28 pinners..

I had a working 4.5d then pickitted a new firmware and it sprang up with 4.6beta 1

You are using the 28 pin firmware not the 44 pin.?

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

JohnS
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Posted: 04:34am 13 Sep 2014

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Yes, the 28-pin version.

I'm puzzled. Must be doing something wrong but can't figure what.

John

robert.rozee
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Posted: 04:47am 13 Sep 2014

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JohnS said
I'm puzzled. Must be doing something wrong but can't figure what.
John

are you using a pickit3, your own software, or peter's software to do the programming?

rob:-)

JohnS
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Posted: 06:09am 13 Sep 2014

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I've thought just the same and sadly I think that's the problem - I'm using my software.

I can't use my PICkit3 currently as mplab's IPE doesn't support the MX170 (shocked me) as I have a slightly outdated version. It's a pig to (re)install it because Mchp don't follow any of the usual (very straightforward) Linux ways so I'm going to go bug-hunting rather than fight Mchp install oddities unless I really can't figure it.

(I used a VM to fight Mchp stuff off and have every desire not to ever use their rubbish again.)

I won't be using xc32 etc anyway, I'll just use normal gcc (same as I have done with ByVac's Basic for its plugins), so all I need is a flashed MX170. It's got to be a bug in my code, and needs fixing anyway, once I find it...

JohnEdited by JohnS 2014-09-14

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