AVRPascal – free code editor for FPC for AVR

[ackarwow]

I have conducted several experiments with AVRPascal, in two sessions.

(...)

So: what causes problems with uploading the batch to the Arduino microcontroller using AVRPascal?

Could you show avrdude command line parameters used to upload your code in Arduino IDE 2.3.3? You can set verbosity in File->Preferences->Show verbose output during upload.

[ackarwow]

Hi,

@ackarwow:

In hardwareserial.pas,
The procedure:
Serial.write(buf, len);
could be useful.

for example to send a structure and its size.

I use it with Arduino IDE to send commands to a linear stepper controlled rail.

in the editor, the "TAB" key has a strange behavior.

it would be nice to have the possibility to indent a block with "TAB" and "SHIFT TAB"

B->

Thank you for your comment and suggestions. Yes it is good idea to improve hardwareserial.pas and tab key behavior. I will try to do it in the next version of AVRPascal

[Dzandaa]

Hi,

@ackarwow

Thank you, It is a great program that deserves future development.

Also in "Open" It would be nice to select the last used directory.
Also in "Upload", the last Port (if it exists) used.

Perhaps a configuration file with the same name as the .pas file in the same directory that would contain the parameters of the current AVR...
Just suggestions.

B->

[ackarwow]

Hi,

@ackarwow

Thank you, It is a great program that deserves future development.

Also in "Open" It would be nice to select the last used directory.
Also in "Upload", the last Port (if it exists) used.

Perhaps a configuration file with the same name as the .pas file in the same directory that would contain the parameters of the current AVR...
Just suggestions.

B->

Thank you for next interesting suggestions although some of them require discussion...
1. Last used directory in Open dialog – YES, very good idea!
2. Last port used in Upload. This case is more complicated, because AVRPascal can detect connected devices, so ports assigned to them are known (the program recognizes devices by VID and PID although sometimes there are problems, as pointed out @VisualLab). So the program automatically indicate port in Upload dialog box finding target device in internal list of connected Arduino boards.
3. Configuration file for current AVR. When I projected AVRPascal I assumed than there will no “project files” for AVR, only global AVR settings. Yes, when we are testing various configurations of boards and sources, this is not comfortable. You are right. But – when you are working on some project – how many times you are changing AVR settings replacing one target device to another?

These are only my observations and thoughts, and of course I could be wrong. I am interested in your (and other users of this forum) point of view.

[VisualLab]

(...)
So: what causes problems with uploading the batch to the Arduino microcontroller using AVRPascal?

Thank you for your comment and detailed description of this case. I will check it in th evening. Did you try use your Arduino Uno clone with unchecked option "Notify of connection or disconnection of supported device" (and restart AVRPascal)?

As suggested, I disabled the "Notify the connection or disconnection of supported device" option in AVRPascal, located on the Uploader tab in the Options dialog. I closed AVRPascal and then restarted it and checked if the option was disabled by closing the Options dialog with the Cancel button. Then I did some tests using the files:

• TestBlink.pas
• TestBlinkWithoutDelay.pas
• TestSerial.pas

The upload test after compiling the TestBlink.pas file was successful the first time. I closed AVRPascal and then disconnected the USB cable from the Arduino board. Then I reconnected it and restarted AVRPascal. I loaded the TestBlinkWithoutDelay.pas file, compiled it and ran the upload, which failed (10 attempts to communicate with the Arduino board from avrdude). However, I noticed that during these communication attempts, the TX and RX LEDs on the Arduino board seemed to flash (very short flashes, unfortunately I initially missed which ones were flashing). I re-ran 2 more tests on the files:

• TestBlink.pas - avrdude communicated with the Arduino board on the 4th attempt and programmed the Arduino,
• TestBlinkWithoutDelay.pas - avrdude communicated with the Arduino board on the 7th attempt and programmed the Arduino,
• TestSerial.pas - avrdude communicated with the Arduino board immediately and programmed the Arduino.

After programming the Arduino with the batch from the compiled TestSerial.pas program, the board works as expected, i.e. when sending a string of characters from the computer to the Arduino and receiving a response from the Arduino, the TX and RX LEDs are clearly visible flashing on the computer and the response sent from the Arduino is displayed on the serial port monitor.

I performed another test, which consisted of another attempt to load the batch from the complicated TestSerial.pas file. I launched the upload – avrdude made 10 attempts to communicate with the Arduino board, without success. This time I observed the TX and RX LEDs. During each attempt, short flashes of the RX diode on the Arduino board were visible. I repeated the upload of the batch from the compiled TestSerial.pas file once more. This time, the Arduino was programmed immediately without any problems. I performed another test, which consisted of reloading the TestBlink.pas program, compiling it and then uploading it to the Arduino. The avrdude program made 5 attempts to communicate, after which it managed to program the board on the 6th attempt.

I performed several tests on the above source files again. Some of them were successful after several attempts of communication between avrdude and Arduino, while others failed at all. I performed the tests with the Define baud rate option enabled and disabled (set to 9600). I did not notice any impact of this option on the success (or failure) of the upload. It seems as if the upload is taking place randomly, but there is definitely a specific reason for the upload problems. I also noticed that during attempts to establish communication between avrdude and Arduino, in the Task Manager next to the AVRPascal process in the Status column, the entry Not Responding appears and disappears.

I'll try to do some more testing in the next few days using another computer. It has both Windows 10 and Linux installed. I'm also planning to order two AVR microcontrollers (ATtiny13A-PU and ATmega16A-PU) and a USBasp compatible programmer so I can do some breadboard testing (I've only experimented with PIC microcontrollers so far).

I have conducted several experiments with AVRPascal, in two sessions.

(...)

So: what causes problems with uploading the batch to the Arduino microcontroller using AVRPascal?

Could you show avrdude command line parameters used to upload your code in Arduino IDE 2.3.3? You can set verbosity in File->Preferences->Show verbose output during upload.

As for the option to display details of the avrdude call in the Arduino IDE, I have it set since installation. The avrdude call is as follows:

"C:\Users\Ja\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\avrdude\6.3.0-arduino17/bin/avrdude" "-CC:\Users\Ja\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\avrdude\6.3.0-arduino17/etc/avrdude.conf" -v  -patmega328p -carduino "-PCOM5" -b115200 -D "-Uflash:w:C:\Users\Ja\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketches\2EA4A341383756C7852978801EA8BA99/FastBlink.ino.hex:i"

[VisualLab]

2. Last port used in Upload. This case is more complicated, because AVRPascal can detect connected devices, so ports assigned to them are known (the program recognizes devices by VID and PID although sometimes there are problems, as pointed out @VisualLab). So the program automatically indicate port in Upload dialog box finding target device in internal list of connected Arduino boards.

In my computer, one serial port is always available and visible: COM1 (there is a connector on the motherboard to which a ribbon cable with a DSUB9 socket on the bracket is connected). However, when I connect a board with a microcontroller (or some programmers) to the USB port, the second (and possibly further) serial ports (virtual) are visible. In the case of a board that is an Arduino Uno clone, it is port COM5. When displaying the Upload dialog in AVRPascal, COM1 is always set on the list, so I change it to COM5.

3. Configuration file for current AVR. When I projected AVRPascal I assumed than there will no “project files” for AVR, only global AVR settings. Yes, when we are testing various configurations of boards and sources, this is not comfortable. You are right. But – when you are working on some project – how many times you are changing AVR settings replacing one target device to another?

The ability to use project files (settings) would make work more comfortable. But it also means greater complexity of the program's source code and (of course) much more work for the program creator

[ackarwow]

@VisualLab thanks for your detailed tests. After reading comments of @VisualLab and previous discussion with @ccrause I see that I need to add the ability to show the compiler and uploader command lines. I will add it as option in the Options dialog. I must do it rather quickly, because without it the tests and comparisons will be difficult.

Code: [Select]

The command line when I program Arduino Uno is:
'C:\Programs\avr\avrpascal\bin\x86_64-win64\avrdude.exe
-C "C:\Programs\avr\avrpascal\bin\x86_64-win64\avrdude.conf"
-p m328p
-P com4
-c arduino
-V
-b115200
-Uflash:w:"C:\Programs\avr\avrpascal\examples\TestBlink.hex":i'

I think the space between the parameters doesn't matter. But name of microcontroller is different (m328p vs atmega328p), maybe that's the cause of the problem. It is also possible that there are differences in the avrdude.conf between AVRPascal and Arduino IDE 2.3.3. I will check it. Also, in some cases (Arduino Leonardo, Arduino Nano Every) a serial port reset is done before uploading, but I have not encountered a case where it was needed for Arduino Uno.

[Dzandaa]

Hi,

@ackarwow:

I solved the problem of the "old bootloader" for my Arduino Nano:

Just set the Baudrate in View->Options->Uploader to 57600.

On Linux, if I put my sources in another place than /opt/AVRPascal/Examples, I cannot compile.

I have the message:
Warning: Only one source file supported, changing source file to...
and then:

Fatal: cannot open file "myfile.pas"

How can I correct that?

Thank you.

B->

[ackarwow]

I solved the problem of the "old bootloader" for my Arduino Nano:
Just set the Baudrate in View->Options->Uploader to 57600.

Great! Congratulations I suppose that various problems with uploading are caused by incorrect baudrate...

On Linux, if I put my sources in another place than /opt/AVRPascal/Examples, I cannot copile.
I have the message:
Warning: Only one source file supported, changing source file to...
and then: Fatal: cannot open file "myfile.pas"
How can I correct that?

If myfile.pas is unit you problaby need to compile it first, and then the program using myfile.pas. If this does not help - please describe your directory structure and location of your units.

[Dzandaa]

Hi,

Found the problem!

My source directory contains a space and AVRPascal doesn't like that.

The AVRPascal directory is the default using the install.

/opt/AVRPascal/
├── bin
│   └── linux64
├── examples
├── lib
│   └── avr
├── out
└── rtl
    ├── avr
    ├── embedded
    └── modes

And my source directory is in:

/home/MyUser/Documents/Sources/AVR Pascal/test/mytest.pas

And the error:

Warning: Only one source file supported, changing source file to compile from "/home/MyUser/Documents/Sources/AVR" into "Pascal/test/mytest.pas"
Target OS: Embedded
Compiling Pascal/test/mytest.pas
Fatal: Cannot open file "mytest.pas"
Fatal: Compilation aborted

I changed the directory name to AVR_Pascal and it's O.K. now.

B->

[ackarwow]

I have released a new version of AVRPascal 2.8 - available on my webpage: http://akarwowski.pl/index.php?page=electronics&lang=en
New features:
- added the ability to show in the Messages area command line parameters used to run compiler and uploader; these options named "Show command line" are available in the "Options" window, in the "Compiler" and "Uploader" tabs; thanks to @VisualLab, @Dzandaa and @ccrause for inspiring this feature.

New features should help to find the cause of errors similar to those reported by @VisualLab. The promised new features will be prepared in the next version, sorry @Dzandaa.

[ackarwow]

Hi,

Found the problem!

My source directory contains a space and AVRPascal doesn't like that.

The AVRPascal directory is the default using the install.

/opt/AVRPascal/
├── bin
│   └── linux64
├── examples
├── lib
│   └── avr
├── out
└── rtl
    ├── avr
    ├── embedded
    └── modes

And my source directory is in:

/home/MyUser/Documents/Sources/AVR Pascal/test/mytest.pas

And the error:

Warning: Only one source file supported, changing source file to compile from "/home/MyUser/Documents/Sources/AVR" into "Pascal/test/mytest.pas"
Target OS: Embedded
Compiling Pascal/test/mytest.pas
Fatal: Cannot open file "mytest.pas"
Fatal: Compilation aborted

I changed the directory name to AVR_Pascal and it's O.K. now.

B->

Excellent! You are clearly an experienced Sr. Member!

[ackarwow]

(...)

As suggested, I disabled the "Notify the connection or disconnection of supported device" option in AVRPascal, located on the Uploader tab in the Options dialog. I closed AVRPascal and then restarted it and checked if the option was disabled by closing the Options dialog with the Cancel button. Then I did some tests using the files:

• TestBlink.pas
• TestBlinkWithoutDelay.pas
• TestSerial.pas

The upload test after compiling the TestBlink.pas file was successful the first time. I closed AVRPascal and then disconnected the USB cable from the Arduino board. Then I reconnected it and restarted AVRPascal. I loaded the TestBlinkWithoutDelay.pas file, compiled it and ran the upload, which failed (10 attempts to communicate with the Arduino board from avrdude). However, I noticed that during these communication attempts, the TX and RX LEDs on the Arduino board seemed to flash (very short flashes, unfortunately I initially missed which ones were flashing). I re-ran 2 more tests on the files:

• TestBlink.pas - avrdude communicated with the Arduino board on the 4th attempt and programmed the Arduino,
• TestBlinkWithoutDelay.pas - avrdude communicated with the Arduino board on the 7th attempt and programmed the Arduino,
• TestSerial.pas - avrdude communicated with the Arduino board immediately and programmed the Arduino.

After programming the Arduino with the batch from the compiled TestSerial.pas program, the board works as expected, i.e. when sending a string of characters from the computer to the Arduino and receiving a response from the Arduino, the TX and RX LEDs are clearly visible flashing on the computer and the response sent from the Arduino is displayed on the serial port monitor.

I performed another test, which consisted of another attempt to load the batch from the complicated TestSerial.pas file. I launched the upload – avrdude made 10 attempts to communicate with the Arduino board, without success. This time I observed the TX and RX LEDs. During each attempt, short flashes of the RX diode on the Arduino board were visible. I repeated the upload of the batch from the compiled TestSerial.pas file once more. This time, the Arduino was programmed immediately without any problems. I performed another test, which consisted of reloading the TestBlink.pas program, compiling it and then uploading it to the Arduino. The avrdude program made 5 attempts to communicate, after which it managed to program the board on the 6th attempt.

I performed several tests on the above source files again. Some of them were successful after several attempts of communication between avrdude and Arduino, while others failed at all. I performed the tests with the Define baud rate option enabled and disabled (set to 9600). I did not notice any impact of this option on the success (or failure) of the upload. It seems as if the upload is taking place randomly, but there is definitely a specific reason for the upload problems. I also noticed that during attempts to establish communication between avrdude and Arduino, in the Task Manager next to the AVRPascal process in the Status column, the entry Not Responding appears and disappears.

I'll try to do some more testing in the next few days using another computer. It has both Windows 10 and Linux installed. I'm also planning to order two AVR microcontrollers (ATtiny13A-PU and ATmega16A-PU) and a USBasp compatible programmer so I can do some breadboard testing (I've only experimented with PIC microcontrollers so far).

(...)

@VisualLab, that's really very interesting... I have an idea: could you replace avrdude.exe and avrdude.conf near AVRPascal.exe with the files from Arduino 2.3.3 and try to upload your binary? I suppose the problem is in avrdude 7.2...

[VisualLab]

@VisualLab, that's really very interesting... I have an idea: could you replace avrdude.exe and avrdude.conf near AVRPascal.exe with the files from Arduino 2.3.3 and try to upload your binary? I suppose the problem is in avrdude 7.2...

I renamed the file avrdude.exe located in the directory: C:\Program Files\AVRPascal\bin\win64. Then I copied the file avrdude.exe from the directory belonging to the Arduino IDE (directory:

C:\Users\Me\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\avrdude\6.3.0-arduino17\etc

Then I ran AVRPascal and loaded the file: TestBlink.pas from the directory containing the examples. The compilation was fast and correct. However, when trying to upload, the following message appears:

avrdude.exe: error at C:\Program Files\AVRPascal\bin\win64\avrdude.conf:421: syntax error
avrdude.exe: error reading system wide configuration file "C:\Program Files\AVRPascal\bin\win64\avrdude.conf"

Line 421 is: default_spi = "";. Of course, this is included in the arvdude.exe configuration file in version 7.2. However, in the configuration file for version 6.3 (used by Arduino IDE) there is no default_spi parameter.

I renamed the file arvdude.conf located in the directory: C:\Program Files\AVRPascal\bin\win64. Then I copied the file arvdude.conf from the directory belonging to the Arduino IDE. I started the upload, but AVRPascal stopped responding for some time (the mouse cursor indicated that the program is busy), and after some time (1-2 minutes) the message appeared:

„avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54

avrdude.exe done.  Thank you.”

I also performed a test for the ATTINY13A microcontroller. On the breadboard I prepared a very simple circuit consisting of a microcontroller, LED, resistor and IDC connector through which I connected the USBasp programmer. The programmer is recognized by AVRPascal. I loaded the file TestBlink.pas. In the AVRPascal compiler options I selected the ATTINY13A microcontroller. The upload was successful, the microcontroller was programmed (I had to set the jumper in the programmer: SLOW SCK). After disconnecting the programmer and connecting the power supply to the breadboard, the microcontroller works according to the program (i.e. the LED lights up).

[ackarwow]

(...)
„avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54
avrdude.exe: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude.exe: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x54

avrdude.exe done.  Thank you.”

@VisualLab thanks for further tests. Hm... generally the error looks like incorrect boud rate (rather impossible) or impossibility to access to  the port.

If it is not a avrdude version problem, then the way to run avrdude remains, for example due of incorrect parameters. If you have the latest version of AVRPascal ( 2.8 ) show the parameters of the avrdude call in Messages area. In Options window, Uploader tab, select "Show command line" and then try to upload your binary (F9). The calling parameters should appear on the top of the messages list.

Another possibility - maybe for some reason AVRPascal incorrectly calls the external avrdude process(?)... Try to copy the AVRPascal command line from the Messages area ("Copy to Clipboard" in context menu) and run it in the console or by a .bat file. Try to do the same with the Arduino IDE command line.

I also performed a test for the ATTINY13A microcontroller. On the breadboard I prepared a very simple circuit consisting of a microcontroller, LED, resistor and IDC connector through which I connected the USBasp programmer. The programmer is recognized by AVRPascal. I loaded the file TestBlink.pas. In the AVRPascal compiler options I selected the ATTINY13A microcontroller. The upload was successful, the microcontroller was programmed (I had to set the jumper in the programmer: SLOW SCK). After disconnecting the programmer and connecting the power supply to the breadboard, the microcontroller works according to the program (i.e. the LED lights up).

As for ATTimy13 - yes, it's a good choice for various experiments. It's a bit strange that you managed to compile and run TestBlink.pas, because it's for ATMega328 and not ATTiny13, so you should get a compilation error "TestBlink.pas(4,3) Fatal: User defined: Invalid controller type, expected: atmega328p, arduinouno, or arduinonano". On my website there are pfds with examples of using ATTiny13 (including Blink) with code, but unfortunately these texts are are only in Polish...