Training: Walkthrough of MCUXpresso for VS Code

[#1]

This video series shows the steps for getting started.  It is a video walkthrough to help visualize the steps detailed in "Installation steps for MCUXpresso for VS Code".

Part 1: MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code

NXP has made it easier for developers to work with NXP microcontrollers in Visual Studio Code.  The user can get a high-level overview of the NXP support at www.nxp.com/vscode. 

You will need the following software:

• MCUXpresso Installer (Win; MacOS; Linux)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Code Download

Part 2: What MCUXpresso Installer Prepares 

Why do you need to use MCUXpresso Installer?  There are many required tools to support embedded development within Visual Studio Code.  This program installs the required tools so the user does not need to understand the complex dependencies to configure the different environments.

Part 3: Add the MCUXpresso for VS Code Extension

The NXP extension will eventually be installed by visiting the Extension Marketplace found in Visual Studio Code.  Until the public launch in July 2023, the extension can be manually added in the Extensions menu found by clicking the ellipsis to the right of the extensions search bar.  

You will require the latest extension.  Download: mcuxpresso-0.5.60.vsix

Part 4: Review the MCUXpresso Perspective

The NXP extension provides a perspective within Visual Studio Code that makes it easy to view the necessary information, resources and tools.

Part 5: Add a Software Repository / SDK

The NXP extension provides a tool that imports software repositories from popular sources.  The developer can import from a remote repo, NXP archive file, or an existing local repo.

Part 6: Import the first Project

The NXP extension provide a Project Importing tool.  It is quick and easy to browse available projects and add them to the current workspace.  Users can import from a repository or an existing local project.

Part 7: Build a Project in VS Code

The NXP installer and extension prepares the toolchain for your platform.  After completing the installer and extension, NXP projects should build properly.

Part 8: Start a Debug Session

The NXP extension has added support to launch the default tools within VS Code using popular Debug Probes.  Segger J-Link, NXP LinkServer and PE Micro debug probes are identified and configured.  The Debug session launches and the user is able to analyze their project.

[christopherseid]

Nice work! Got me up to speed in not time!

[neilberesford]

Very well done!

The videos are clear, short and informative.

This extension will be a major asset for our development.

[sourabhmoitra]

Hi,

I am new to NXP development environment. But when trying to follow the training videos for installation of MCUexpresso plugin on MVC here, I am unable to add repositories for MCUexpresso and Zephyr as "west" is exiting with an error code 1.

eg: west -m "argument" -mr "argument" exiting with error code 1

This problem I am facing on a windows 10 machine where as on a windows 11 machine thing worked just fine....

Any suggestions on this reported problem....!!!

[kyledando]

@sourabhmoitra have you tried alternative drive locations?  I had similar west error on an old git folder.  I moved to a new folder location and that error went away.  
I have put a ticket in to resolve why old git folder failed with west command, but was able to import mcux-sdk with wizard when I selected a different folder (C:/mcux-sdk   as I attempted to get rid of any folder path issues)

[sourabhmoitra]

Thanks @kyledando for the kind suggestion. Changing the git folder actually worked for me but due to some strange reason I am not able to select Git folder more than 3 levels deep in hierarchy (like C:/folder1/folder2/folder3). I guess it may be due to some python/west path name length limitations (some windows machines have them....). Thanks again for the suggestion.

[kyledando]

@sourabhmoitra glad that you were able to move forward.  We also identified that spaces in the path caused issues.  The team is working to "warn" the user when they select a directory that causes these errors with tools.

[vae]

您好，我在使用 vscode 的此插件时遇到了问题。第一张图片是我的配置项目的屏幕截图，第二张图片是我在构建时报告的错误。