Setting Sections

As with breakpoints, you can add sections to source files by hand - adding a ';;MiSim sX' token will set Section X for the given line and all following lines until another ;;MiSim sX token is found, or the end of the file is reached.

The Section View Plugin

In Block mode, the current section is shown by the colour of the section view window. Note that though the section view plugin slows down simulation, you may not see short sections being executed as the colours update rapidly.

In Line mode, the section view window is divided into horizontal lines with each line representing a single instruction cycle. As your program runs, the current section is drawn as a line that scans from top to bottom of the window. The stripes drawn allow short routines to be visualised.

Pixel mode behaves similarly to Line mode, except that each pixel represents an instruction cycle, and as your program executes, the current pixels scans from left to right, then top to bottom of the window. As a large window can show a larger number of cycles than in line mode, this allows longer routines to be visualised.

Histogram Mode shows the number of cycles spent in each of the sections as they execute. You can drag the Section View window out to enlarge the histogram bars. Once they are large enough, the instruction cycle count is displayed next to each bar.

In all modes, the plugin can be set to ignore time spent outside of sections - Click the 'Ignore Clear Sections' checkbox in the plugins view to set this option.

Single Step Sections

To set single stepping for sections, use the Edit->Preferences dialog. The Sections tab has a checkbox for each section. Checking a box will set the simulator to step over that section when it is encountered.

Section Colours

If a source or binary file is updated in another application, miSim DE will now detect that fact and offer to reload it. The file is checked when the appropriate tab is selected and miSim DE gets focus. Click OK to load the new version of the file and continue or cancel to ignore the most recent update to the file.

The 'Expand Tabs' checkbox sets the editor to insert either a tab character (if un-checked) or a set of spaces into the file (if checked) when the tab button is pressed. The tab width value decides how many space characters a tab is equivalent to.

If the 'Show Uppercase' option is checked, all commands and instructions that the editor recognises are shown in uppercase. This does not change the actual case of the characters in the file - it is only a display property. Note that changing this option will not change the way files that are already loaded are displayed. Only newly loaded files, or new text typed into existing files will be displayed correctly.

You can set the colours for the background, selection area and tokens in the Editor Tab by selecting the relevant type in the Token Colours list and then clicking the 'Change Colour' button.

The new version of miSim DE allows both temporary breakpoints and persistent breakpoints which are marked in the source file. You can add a temporary breakpoint as before by clicking on a line in the processor view and then selecting Debug->Add Breakpoint. This breakpoint will be forgotten when the file is next assembled.

You can add a persistent breakpoint by selecting a line in the source file and clicking Debug->Add Breakpoint. This will add a special token ';;MiSim b1' to that line of code which instructs the assembler to set a breakpoint at the appropriate address each time the file is assembled.

Note that the persistent breakpoint token is designed to look like a comment to other assemblers, so it will not affect their use. You may enter breakpoints by using the menu as described above, or by typing the ';;MiSim' token in directly.

As you may wish to add breakpoints that are useful for debugging, but not for other tests, miSim DE now also supports breakpoint levels - described below.

Temporary breakpoints are automatically set to have the highest level - always enabled. If a persistent breakpoint is created with the Debug->Add Breakpoint menu item, it is set to the current debug level. The ;;MiSim token is followed by the letter 'b' and a single digit representing the debug level. This may be altered by hand, and the level will be set when the file is next assembled.

Once a file has been assembled you may set the level of a breakpoint in the 'Edit Breakpoints' dialog by selecting the breakpoint and clicking 'Set Level', which will set it to the current debug level.

To make it easier to keep up with the latest developments, Web Update allows you to simply, quickly and efficiently update miSim and get not only new Plugins, but example code, projects and documentation. With Web Update miSim DE can download your selection of new components via the web and install them without you needing to exit the application. It can even upgrade itself, which may require a restart - but then you'll have an even better version of this sucessful application.

All PIC® 16x5x processors are now simulated:
16c54, 16c54a, 16c54c, 16cr54a, 16cr54c,
16c55, 16c55a,
16c56, 16c56a, 16cr56a,
16c57, 16c57c, 16cr57c,
16c58b, 16cr58b

The original PIC 16x8x devices are simulated:
16f83, 16cr83
16c84, 16f84, 16cr84

In addition, these processors are supported, though not all peripheral devices are simulated:
16f873, 16f876 - No Analog, PWM, Serial I/O
16f874, 16f877 - No Analog, PWM, Serial I/O, Port D/E

If your project has a set of LEDs, buttons and a stepper motor you can define a new circuit that has all of these, correctly connected to the microcontroller. The circuit can be recalled and connected whenever you need. Circuits also allow you to configure debug tools such as the breadboard display or memory monitor as part of your ideal set-up.

miSim also continues the tradition of getting started with your code much easier. Unlike other tools, there is no need to tell miSim DE about your project and a whole host of options that you just don't need (or understand!!). You can just open up the required assembly file and go. All of the necessary options can be defined through simple menus, or directly in the code. By taking this simple stand, miSim helps you to keep your choices clear and easy to share with other developers.

When you develop with miSim DE your code is easy to read and easy to edit. All project options are close to hand and straightforward. Yet miSim DE still provides a sophisticated Macro Assembler, robust and efficient simulator and excellent debugging tools. Anyone can make a development environment look big and clever - it takes a little more to make it simple and powerful.