2
\$\begingroup\$

A very popular and advertised tool for programming ARM microcontrollers is Keil MDK-ARM. The evaluation version can be downloaded here. However there is a code-size limitation of 32 kB for using the evaluation version of Keil. After some searching I found out that the CooCox IDE is a free alternative to Keil and similar software.

So my question, given that CooCox is absolutely free is... Is CooCox an alternative with no such limitations of code-size, etc.?

\$\endgroup\$
4
  • \$\begingroup\$ The 32KB limitation applies to the compiler,linker,debugger and simulator. You can use the MDK-Lite Keil uVision IDE without the code size limitations for compiling, linking and programming GCC projects. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tut
    Commented Aug 5, 2014 at 10:19
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Tut - Can you please point me to some resource that explains how to use MDK-Lite Keil uVision IDE with GCC projects, without code size limtitations ? And also the download link fo that particular version. In fact you could turn it into an answer. \$\endgroup\$
    – James C
    Commented Aug 5, 2014 at 10:45
  • \$\begingroup\$ I'll give it to you in a nutshell. If you need more, we can go to chat. I used Sourcery CodeBench Lite for ARM EABI available here. For the project in uVision4, go to Project-Manage-Components,Environment,Books... and select the Folders/Extensions tab. Check "Use GCC". The tool prefix I have is "arm-none-eabi-" and the GNU-Tool Folder is the base folder of the installed toolchain, in my case: "C:\Program Files (x86)\CodeSourcery\Sourcery_CodeBench_Lite_for_ARM_EABI\". \$\endgroup\$
    – Tut
    Commented Aug 5, 2014 at 11:05
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @JamesC the MDK-Lite 32KB limit still applies for debugging, even if you use GCC, so it's pretty much useless for debugging anything non-trivial because the 32KB is calculated from the sum of code & data, not just code. \$\endgroup\$
    – markt
    Commented Aug 5, 2014 at 12:22

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4
\$\begingroup\$

CooCox (by default, at least) uses the GCC compiler (tautology alert!), which is completely free. I've been using CooCox for postgrad work and, although there are a few issues with the IDE (because it's Eclipse-based - make of that what you will...) I have found it to be very usable when compared to MDK-ARM (which I use at my day job).

CooCox (and GCC) have no code size limitations that I am aware of, and CooCox integrates very nicely with the STLINKv2 (including the built-in STLINKv2 on the ST32F Disco boards) for cheap STM32F debugging.

\$\endgroup\$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.