PlatformIO Extension for Atom and Visual Studio Code
|
PlatformIO is an extension for Atom, the modular editor from Github, and for Visual Studio Code, the modular IDE from Microsoft.
To install PlatformIO,
The PlatformIO website provides all the required documentation for configuring PlatformIO. |
Atom, Visual Studio Code and PlatformIO
|
Using make and the makefiles
|
I haven't tried the makefiles I've been developing for embedXcode since 2010 with Atom. I went directly to the PlatformIO solution.
|
Using PlatformIO
|
Once PlatformIO is installed, the next step is to select the boards and libraries. PlatformIO downloads the corresponding packages.
Some platforms are not yet supported, like the popular LaunchPad CC3200 or the RTOS-enabled LaunchPad MSP432. |
|
|
The editor features all the modern niceties, including auto-completion and contextual documentation.
|
|
|
Here, the parameters for the blink() function are listed.
|
|
|
The main targets are available on the tool bar on the left of the screen and include Build, Upload, Clean, Debug.
Build goes fast. Actually, the PlatformIO IDE is a font-end for the PlatformIO Core, a proprietary build system. |
|
|
Debugging works fine.
Defining a breakpoint is done through a contextual menu or by pressing F9. There is no shortcut like clicking on the line number. I don't know whether this restriction comes from Atom or from PlatformIO. Similarly, I haven't found how to define a conditional breakpoint. The debugging pane shows the local variables, the breakpoints and the call stack. |
|
|
However, access to debugging requires to create an account and to log in. The reason for that is some features are commercial.
Debugging is in trial mode for 30 days on the Community or free version. |
|
Conclusion
|
I really liked the ease of installation with the built-in boards and libraries managers, although some popular boards aren't supported yet.
The tool bar on the left provides instant access to the most common targets, including debugging. |
|
|
In a statement released 18 June 2019, PlatformIO announced PIO Plus in now open-source.
Contrary to the other solutions reviewed, PlatformIO is commercial, with a very clear list provided at the Plans and Features page. For example, debugging is in trial mode for 30 days on the Community or free version. Paid subscriptions start at $120 / year ($10 / month billed annually), but getting support requires an even more expensive plan at $1200 / year ($100 / month billed annually). Both appear as too expensive for makers and hobbyists. Similarly, I'm not a big fan of the subscription model for software. |
|
Update January 2019
|
PlatformIO comes in two flavours, Open Source and PIO Plus. It relies on the SCons construction tool, with underlying Python.
PlatformIO promotes itself as IDE-independent, and is now available for a large set of desktop and cloud IDEs. It comes as an Atom package or a Visual Studio Code extension and integrates with Cloud and Desktop IDEs including Cloud9, Codeanywhere, Eclipse Che, CLion, CodeBlocks, Eclipse, Emacs, NetBeans, Qt Creator, Sublime Text, VIM, and Visual Studio. I tested PaltformIO with both Atom and Visual Studio Code. Visual Studio Code is a clear winner for the integration, speed and features. |
Update June 2019
|
In a statement released 18 June 2019, PlatformIO announced PIO Plus in now open-source.
As a consequence, the debugging, unit testing and remote agent features are now free. This is a welcome option to consider when looking for a more capable IDE. PlatformIO now accepts donations. |
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
Wrap-Up
|
Links
|
|
Posted 11 May 2017
Updated 16 June 2017, 21 January 2019, 19 June 2019
