Toolchain upgrade aids 16-bit MCU developers

31st March 2014

IAR Systems

Mick Elliott

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IAR Systems has updated its toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for HCS12. Plenty of new functionality is added to further improve ease of use and make the workflow more efficient for developers working with the 16-bit HCS12 microcontrollers from Freescale. In addition, the IAR C/C++ Compiler incorporated in IAR Embedded Workbench for HCS12 now uses the ISO/IEC 9899:1999 standard, known as C99, as the default C language.

Version 4.10 of IAR Embedded Workbench for HCS12 adds IAR Systems’ updated text editor and source browser.

New features includes auto completion, parameter hint, code folding, block select, block indent, bracket matching, zoom, and word/paragraph navigation. Available in the source browser is for example functionality for going directly to a chosen declaration, and for finding all references to a symbol.

To simplify the use of device configuration tools alongside IAR Embedded Workbench, project connections are introduced in this version. Integration with the leading version control system Subversion makes it easier for development teams to collaborate, share files in a project and keep track of source code versions. The integration allows users to perform Subversion commands from within the IAR Embedded Workbench IDE, and to see the current status of project files and folders.

The comprehensive C-SPY Debugger has been updated with several features. With a custom SFR (special function registers) window, it is possible to define custom SFRs selectable access size and type.

A new Macro Quicklaunch window enables evaluation of expressions and launching of C-SPY macros and a browsable Call Graph window displays all calls made to and from each function from any source file in the active project. With the improved compiler optimisations in this version, developers will be able to execute the target code faster and get smaller code size.

Added compiler functionality, including new pragma directives to set default placement and attributes for variable or function declarations and definitions, allows users to override multiple declarations and definitions by using a single pragma.