What software is the simplest to use on Motorola HC08 development?

I am trying to get started in mpu development. I have a Nitron HC08 
development board and Metrowerks evaulation software but I am having a lot 
of trouble getting things to work. Every step is an effort. I think back to 
my days at school typing in the op codes with a keypad. It was error prone 
and repetitive but way more efficient then what I have been able to 
accomplish so far. Lots of changes from 14 years ago.

The code I have written and flashed in, (verified it's there) never runs. 
The PC starts at $FFFF, goes to $1, then resets due to not being able to go 
into background mode,it then goes to $FFEA and stays up in that region. I 
never setup the COP, reset vector should be taken care of by the Metrowerks 
software (I am modifying the standard skeleton code that the software sets 
up). I haven't been able to figure out that problem and am now thinking 
there has to be an easier way to get started.

Cosmic seems to be used a lot. I am not sure how difficult that is to setup 
for the HC08 using the mono8 debugger.

Right now I am just doing hobby work and do not want to spend a lot of money 
on a software package. I was hoping an evaluation copy would be enough. Any 
suggestions? 

js1180 wrote:
> I am trying to get started in mpu development. I have a Nitron HC08
> development board and Metrowerks evaulation software but I am having
a lot
> of trouble getting things to work. Every step is an effort. I think
back to
> my days at school typing in the op codes with a keypad. It was error
prone
> and repetitive but way more efficient then what I have been able to
> accomplish so far. Lots of changes from 14 years ago.
>
> The code I have written and flashed in, (verified it's there) never
runs.
> The PC starts at $FFFF, goes to $1, then resets due to not being able
to go
> into background mode,it then goes to $FFEA and stays up in that
region. I
> never setup the COP, reset vector should be taken care of by the
Metrowerks
> software (I am modifying the standard skeleton code that the software
sets
> up). I haven't been able to figure out that problem and am now
thinking
> there has to be an easier way to get started.
>
> Cosmic seems to be used a lot. I am not sure how difficult that is to
setup
> for the HC08 using the mono8 debugger.
>
> Right now I am just doing hobby work and do not want to spend a lot
of money
> on a software package. I was hoping an evaluation copy would be
enough. Any
> suggestions?

I had the same experience: the Metrowerks software seemed to have too
steep a learning curve. Eventually I downloaded an excellent, much
smaller version of the IDE/assembler/debugger from P&E Micro
(ISC08something) that was much easier to progress with: the app's
handholding and second-guessing were almost non-existent. Another
recommendation: take the time to get the User-Mode Monitor Access  code
into your device. Add this to the excellent debugger and programming
the '08 really became as understandable and _much_ faster than back in
the day.
The program counter should start at FFFE, not FFFF
Keep at it
Wade Hassler

js1180 wrote:

> I am trying to get started in mpu development. I have a Nitron HC08
> development board and Metrowerks evaulation software but I am having a lot
> of trouble getting things to work. Every step is an effort. I think back
> to my days at school typing in the op codes with a keypad. It was error
> prone and repetitive but way more efficient then what I have been able to
> accomplish so far. Lots of changes from 14 years ago.
> 
> The code I have written and flashed in, (verified it's there) never runs.
> The PC starts at $FFFF, goes to $1, then resets due to not being able to
> go into background mode,it then goes to $FFEA and stays up in that region.
> I never setup the COP, reset vector should be taken care of by the
> Metrowerks software (I am modifying the standard skeleton code that the
> software sets up). I haven't been able to figure out that problem and am
> now thinking there has to be an easier way to get started.
> 
> Cosmic seems to be used a lot. I am not sure how difficult that is to
> setup for the HC08 using the mono8 debugger.
> 
> Right now I am just doing hobby work and do not want to spend a lot of
> money on a software package. I was hoping an evaluation copy would be
> enough. Any suggestions?

If you read German (or can get it translated) there is a paper on 
implementing nanoForth. Forth is a reasonably easy environment to deal with 
new hardware and with this part of the work is done for you. It will, 
however, allow you to explore further.

        http://www.embeddedforth.de/08forth.pdf

You might also be able to get ChipForth for the processor from Computer 
Solutions Ltd. of Forth Inc at a reasonable price these days. 
Alternatively, a search on "Forth for 68hc08) yields a number of 
interesting links (not all will be Forth related).


-- 
********************************************************************
Paul E. Bennett ....................<email://peb@a...>
Forth based HIDECS Consultancy .....<http://www.amleth.demon.co.uk/>
Mob: +44 (0)7811-639972 .........NOW AVAILABLE:- HIDECS COURSE......
Tel: +44 (0)1235-811095 .... see http://www.feabhas.com for details.
Going Forth Safely ..... EBA. www.electric-boat-association.org.uk..
********************************************************************

<spastula@comcast.net> wrote:

>I am trying to get started in mpu development. I have a Nitron HC08 
>development board and Metrowerks evaulation software but I am having a lot 
>of trouble getting things to work. Every step is an effort. I think back to 
>my days at school typing in the op codes with a keypad. It was error prone 
>and repetitive but way more efficient then what I have been able to 
>accomplish so far. Lots of changes from 14 years ago.

Codewarrior is an excellent toolset that produces good-quality code,
but it is difficult to set up - when we started with the HCS08 we did
try serial download, but rapidly moved on to the Multilink ICD - I'm
not sure we ever got the serial debugger working properly.

>The code I have written and flashed in, (verified it's there) never runs. 
>The PC starts at $FFFF, goes to $1, then resets due to not being able to go 
>into background mode,it then goes to $FFEA and stays up in that region. I 
>never setup the COP, reset vector should be taken care of by the Metrowerks 
>software (I am modifying the standard skeleton code that the software sets 
>up). I haven't been able to figure out that problem and am now thinking 
>there has to be an easier way to get started.
>
>Cosmic seems to be used a lot. I am not sure how difficult that is to setup 
>for the HC08 using the mono8 debugger.
>
>Right now I am just doing hobby work and do not want to spend a lot of money 
>on a software package. I was hoping an evaluation copy would be enough. Any 
>suggestions? 

 We're very pleased with the HCS08-multilink combination (once we
understood the strange licensing issues with the P&E debugger), but it
isn't necessarily a hobbyist setup. We breifly evaluated the Cosmic
offering, and it looked similar - you may have the same problems with
serial download.

An ICD system may cost $200, but 14 years ago the only high-level
debug option was to buy or rent a $10,000 processor emulator, so
things have improved a bit...

Jeremy Bentham
Iosoft Ltd.