Debugging guide?

eyewonder300 · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 52

PIC16F887, ICD-U40, CCS v4.069, CCSLoad

Is there a beginners guide to using the debug features of the compiler? I don't even know where to start.

Cheers,
Steve

asmboy · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 2128 Location: albany ny

There is no guide that i know of, because unlike a 'pure' software issue, real world PIC design has more than just your code that can cause trouble or confusion. A PIC design implies hardware in the equation and troubled circuitry can be as baffling as shaky code.
I've never even tried to use a "debugger" other than ad hoc methods as best
suits the problem at hand.

Inserting soft RS232 reporting breakpoints, toggling uncommitted pins and such are mainstay of my own debug work.
Use of debugger-mode breakpoints is NOT
as it can screw with critical timing. And a lot of what i design is very time critical.

The most powerful debug tool there is is not hardware or special code -
it lies between your ears.

Hopefully wiser heads than mine will weigh in too.