MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a free, integrated toolset for the development of embedded applications employing Microchip's PICmicro® and dsPIC® microcontrollers. MPLAB IDE runs as a 32-bit application on MS Windows®, is easy to use and includes a host of free software components for fast application development and super-charged debugging. MPLAB IDE also serves as a single, unified graphical user interface for additional Microchip and third party software and hardware development tools. Moving between tools is a snap, and upgrading from the free software simulator to hardware debug and programming tools is done in a flash because MPLAB IDE has the same user interface for all tools.

New in MPLAB IDE v7.40:

* Find in Files - Search through files located anywhere on your system without leaving the MPLAB editor.
* User Defined Window Sets - Customize your window arrangements and toolbars to maximize productivity at each stage of your design cycle.
* Code Folding - Collapse/expand C functions for more manageable source code.
* Code Browsing - Reduce the time spent searching through code: variable and function definitions are summoned from any reference.
* DCMI Plug-In - Control application variables dynamically; view data graphically using up to four configurable graph windows.
* MPLAB C30 Compiler optimization control - Set complex speed and code size optimizations with new graphical dialog.
* MPLAB SIM Logic Analyzer Busses - Group monitored channels as busses to be graphed on the logic analyzer display.
* Run to main() - Execute initialization code then halt the system for instant debug control at the beginning of user C code .
* README files now in HTML - Navigate easily through hotlinks for information in the READMEs.

New in MPLAB IDE v8.00

The most recent full release of MPLAB IDE introduces these new features:

This release of MPLAB supports the new PIC32MX family of 32-bit microcontrollers.
- MPLAB ASM32 and MPLINK32 are new components of MPLAB
- MPLAB REAL ICE and MPLAB ICD 2 now show support for PIC32 products
- MPLAB SIM supports all the new Microchip 32-bit microcontrollers

Other new features in MPLAB IDE
- The dialog to select devices now lists relevant debug headers for MPLAB ICD 2 and MPLAB REAL ICE
- MPLAB REAL ICE now has dynamic linking on error messages
- 16-bit language tools can use a generic linker script, allowing libraries that work with any device

New device support:
For full specific device support listings and details on changes to MPLAB IDE, refer to the associated release notes.

MPLAB v8.00 build project patch
When a project has "Build Directory Policy" set to "assemble/compile in the source directory" and also has an output directory, MPLAB IDE v8.00 generates a linker command line with incorrect paths to the object files. This will cause a linker failure during the build.
This patch corrects behavior in MPLAB IDE's v8.00's invocation of the LINK30 and LINK32. Many of Microchip's demo projects have precisely this setup and fail to build in MPLAB IDE v8.00 without application of this patch.

Applying the build project patch:
Apply this patch to your installation of MPLAB IDE v8.00 by unzipping the patch below and copying the .dll and .sig files to your "MPLAB IDE/Core" directory.

The most recent full release of MPLAB IDE introduces these new features:

These new features are added to MPLAB IDE v8.10 (new device support is listed in the Release Notes):
- Silicon Debug Resource Toolbar ¨C A new toolbar details the usage of silicon debug features (trace, HW breaks) in the currently selected device for in-circuit emulation or in-circuit debugging. The toolbar indicates if software breakpoints are supported in the device, and whether they are enabled or disabled.
- Trace Improvements ¨C The disassembled instruction at the trace point is now displayed, and new buttons allow “trace step back “and “trace step forward.”
- DMCI Run-time Data Monitor ¨CDMCI (in concert with a target-resident monitor and a serial connection) can change application variables during run-time.
- PIC18 Data Capture ¨C PIC18-family devices can now stream data off of the device at run time to be displayed in the run-time watch window or the DMCI.
- Triggered Control of PIC32 Trace Start/Stop ¨C New capabilities have been added to the MPLAB REAL ICE to start or stop the collection of trace data based on trigger criteria.
- Project Folder Management ¨C Project files not tied directly to the current project directory structure can be organized and managed along with other project files.
- Software Breakpoints for PIC18 MCUs ¨C PIC18-family devices can use software breakpoints with MPLAB REAL ICE.
- Default Linker Script for PIC18 MCUs ¨C Eliminates linker script confusion by automatically using a default linker script. No longer does the engineer need to switch linker scripts when using an in-circuit emulator or debugger. Additionally, the linker wizard doesn’t ask to select a linker script, which reduces the complexity of making projects. Additionally, the PIC18 family has a generic setting for building libraries that will work with any PIC18-family device.
- Fast Swapping Between Project Symbol Sets ¨C This eases debugging of applications that are built using two projects, such as those with a bootloader.
- Automated Updates ¨C MPLAB IDE checks the Microchip web site to see if a newer version is available and notifies the user.
- Patch for MPLAB PM3 and 25AA020A devices ¨C This patch fixes a problem with MPLAB PM3 programmer when importing hex files from 25AA0020A devices. Unzip and place in the C:\Program Files\Microchip\MPLAB IDE\Device folder.

These new features are added to MPLAB IDE v8.30 (new device support is listed in the Release Notes):
- Determine C Compiler Version From Within the IDE – provides a facility for querying the compiler for its version and displaying same.
- Detect and Warn of Multiple MPLAB IDE instances – provides a facility to warn a customer if they have started a subsequent simultaneous MPLAB IDE instance.
- Faster Programming of Low Pin Count dsPICs – PM3 now uses programming execs for most low pin count dsPICs.
- Release from Reset/Hold in Reset ICD 2 – provides automated control of PGC/PGD/EMUC/EMUD and MCLR on ICD 2. Subject to limitations.
- DMCI On Demand DMA Write/Read Support – provides a facility in DMCI to write control parameters and read array data to graphs while target is running. Applicable to debug tools and devices supporting SPITFIRE DMA protocol.
- REAL ICE CMD and ICD3CMD – Command-line utilities for the MPLAB REAL ICE and ICD 3 as production-capable programmers.
- View Memory in 1, 2 or 4 byte collections – provides an option in the IDE to view memory in byte, word or double word units.
- PIC32 Starter Kit Fault Recovery– provides a method by which the PIC32 starter kit can be reinvigorated if they certain configuration bits are inadvertently set.
- PICkit 3 Support for PIC32 – provide debugging support for PIC32 using PICkit3
- DMCI Automated Event Sequence Editor With Timer Based Interval Control - provides a facility in DMCI to build automation scripts to control state changes and read array data to graphs via a runtime communication path. Supports RTDM and SPITFIRE DMA real-time protocols.

- Peripheral Freeze on Halt - Peripheral Freeze on Halt settings can cause motor drive electronics to fail. Please ensure that the Peripheral Freeze on Halt settings in Debugger>Settings>Peripherals are set correctly for your application, do not rely on default settings.

These new features are added to MPLAB IDE v8.43 (new device support is listed in the Release Notes):
* PICkit 3 Programmer-To-Go Power – This feature enables the PICkit 3 to provide power to the target in PTG mode.
* New part support –
* Bug fixes –

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/MPLAB_IDE_8_43_Release_Notes.zip

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/MPLAB_8_43.zip