Why use CCS Bootloader or "why not"

[Gerrit]

Just general discusion,

Why shoot I use the CCS bootloader for my new projects, what are
the benefits agains other boot loaders. (What is perfect)


Why shoot I NOT use the CCS bootloader for my new projects, what are
the disadvantage agains other boot loaders. (What is worse)


I'm curiouse for responses.


Gerrit

[ckielstra]

I'm right now working on creating my own bootloader and have done some research. There is no such thing as 'the best' bootloader because it all depends on the features that are important to your project:
- Which compiler/assembler are you using?
- Do you mind the code to be in assembly?
- Is a code size larger than 512 bytes allowed?
- Do you want the hardware code protection (requires code to fit in the first 512 bytes of code space).
- A user friendly download program on the PC, or just the universal hyperterm?
- Can you use the hardware UART or do you only have a software UART?
- Do you want an autobaud feature?
- Do you want to write to config memory and eeprom as well?
- Which PIC16 and/or PIC18 processors must be supported?
- etc, etc.

I can recommend to read the info page of the Tiny PIC Bootloader. Here you will find a good introduction on PIC bootloaders and a short comparison of 15 different bootloaders.

[Gerrit]

Hello ckielstra,

Thank you for your input. I have done some summing what my boodloader would need.

- I want a complete protected (simple protection protocol) bootloader
- for the moment only on 18F devices with hardware uart
- I like to program all settings via the bootloader
- As i have read it looks like the bootloader must fit in the first 512 bytes
- I like a simple pc program for programming that I can distribute to the customer
- I do not mind if it is C or assembler (I prefer C, looks simpler to maintain in future updates, most my software is in C)
- at this moment I'm using CCS 3.217.



Do you maybe have some C source for the PC program ?

Are there other willing to shoot this item ?



regards,

Gerrit

[Kasper]

though it is not a C program, it is a working PC program for sending out the hex file needed to program a PIC.

http://www.ccsinfo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21396