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About µVision

This guide is a reference for the toolchains C51, C251, and C166.

µVision is a window-based software development platform that combines a robust and modern editor with a project manager and make facility tool. It integrates all the tools needed to develop embedded applications including a C/C++ compiler, macro assembler, linker/locator, and a HEX file generator.

µVision helps expedite the development process of embedded applications by providing the following:

  • Full-featured source code editor.
  • Device Database® for configuring the development tool.
  • Project Manager for creating and maintaining your projects.
  • Integrated Make Utility functionality for assembling, compiling, and linking your embedded applications.
  • Dialogs for all development environment settings.
  • True integrated source-level and assembler-level Debugger with high-speed CPU and peripheral Simulator.
  • Advanced GDI interface for software debugging on target hardware and for connecting to a Keil® ULINK® Debug Adapter.
  • Flash programming utility for downloading the application program into Flash ROM.
  • Links to manuals, on-line help, device datasheets, and user guides.

The µVision IDE and Debugger is the central part of the Keil development toolchain and has numerous features that help the programmer to develop embedded applications quickly and successfully. The Keil tools are easy to use, and are guaranteed to help you achieve your design goals in a timely manner.

µVision offers a Build Mode for creating applications and a Debug Mode for debugging applications. Applications can be debugged with the integrated µVision Simulator or directly on hardware, for example with ULINK Debug and Trace Adapters. Developers can also use other AGDI adapters or external third-party tools to analyze applications.

Features and Advantages

Feature Advantage
Project Manager, Make Utility, Debugger, modern Editor Have been combined into a single user interface accelerating the application development. While editing, debugger features can be configured. While debugging, changes can be made to the source code.
µVision Simulator Write, test, and debug applications with the µVision Simulator. It allows you to investigate different hardware configurations even before the hardware is available. The µVision Simulator models most on-chip peripherals.
Simulator and Target Debugger Both debugging interfaces have been implemented to have the same look & feel, and shorten the learning curve considerably.
System Viewer Displays information about peripheral registers and allows you to manually change property values at run-time.
Code Coverage Provides statistical data about the execution of the application. Safety-critical systems can be tested and validated thoroughly. Execution analysis reports can be viewed and printed for certification requirements.
Logic Analyzer Displays changes of values on a time graph. Study the signal and variable changes and view their dependency or correlation.
Device Database Allows you to configure the development environment automatically based on the microcontroller in use. Developers are provided with default settings that reduce the time needed to configure the tool.
Template editor Create common text sequences or header blocks. Use templates to insert standard text, header descriptions, and generic code blocks into the program structure.
Source Browser Use the browser for navigating quickly among coded procedures. Save time during development. Use this functionality in addition to the Find functions.
Configuration Wizard Provides a graphical interface for to maintain device and start-up code settings. Instead of scrolling through the start-up file, use this advanced GUI-like feature.
Third-party tools µVision integrates additional tools such as version control systems or CASE tools. All configuration details are saved in the µVision project file.
Debugging and Flash programming The ULINK Debug and Trace Adapters are delivered with pre-configured Flash programming algorithms, which can be modified and adapted to particular needs.
Multi-Project Manager Allows you to combine µVision projects, which logically depend on each other, into one single Multiple-Project. This increase the overview, consistency, and transparency of the embedded system application design.

This chapter contains the sections:

See also

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