Introduction

Eclipse is commonly recognised as an integrated development environment (IDE) for computer programming which contains an extensible plug-in system.

Eclipse itself is a very small open-source framework and workbench. The IDE's functionality comes from sets of subsystems which are implemented in one or more plug-ins. Although Eclipse is widely used for developing Java applications, the CDT Project provides a set of plugins to create a fully functional C and C++ IDE, allowing developers to create, edit and debug projects based on C and C++. This distribution of Eclipse and CDT plug-ins is commonly known as Eclipse/CDT.

The eCosPro® CDT plug-in further enhances Eclipse/CDT allowing embedded application developers to create, develop and debug eCosPro applications and libraries for embedded hardware. An eCosPro application or library is typically an application or libary that runs on top of the eCos® and eCosPro Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), which in turn runs within embedded hardware such as the circuit board within washing machines, satellites, automobiles and so on.

Enhancements provided by the eCosPro CDT plug-in include the following:

eCos Configuration Projects

These are distinct project types which contain at least one eCos configuration (files with the extension .ecc). The creation of these projects within the Eclipse framework allows developers to configure and build the eCos RTOS as well as eCosPro components provided with the RTOS.

eCos Configuration Projects can be conveniently reused across multiple eCos C/C++ Application Projects and/or static library projects, and can also be shared via the Eclipse Team Provider mechanism which interfaces with various source control systems. With these projects it is possible to edit eCos configurations using the eCos Configuration Tool as well as manage and rebuild eCos libraries.

eCos C/C++ Application Projects

These are Eclipse/CDT Application projects but are associated with a specific eCos Configuration Project.

eCos C/C++ Application Projects will also be rebuilt automatically if any changes are made to their associated eCos Configuration Project.

eCos Hardware Debugging

Downloading, programming and debugging of executable eCos C/C++ applications to remote target hardware using a hardware debugger is enhanced by this plug-in. OpenOCD and the Ronetix PEEDI are both supported, as well as other hardware debuggers. On specific supported targets, BDM may also be available.

eCos Remote Debugging

Downloading and debugging of executable eCos applications to remote target hardware running RedBoot or GDB stubs is also enhanced by this plug-in.

eCosPro GNU Toolchains

A GNU cross development toolchain provided by eCosCentric, or a meta-toolchain termed the eCos toolchain, may be selected for compiling and debugging the libraries of eCos Configuration Projects and executables of eCos C/C++ Application Projects. This eliminates the requirement of developers to select a specific toolchain for use by Eclipse/CDT.

Additional Features

Robust handling of remote target communication failures
The provision of information about eCos kernel threads while debugging (current with RedBoot or GDB Stubs only)
The facility to insert hardware-assisted breakpoints where supported by the GDB stub or hardware debugger

	Note
	The figures of screenshots within this guide are illustrations and may not reflect exactly what you may encounter when working through this guide. The exact contents, styles, colours, fonts and layout will vary according to your host operating system, the theme for your workspace, as well as the window manager you use on the host operating system.


eCosPro CDT (1.6.7) plug-in user's guide for Eclipse 2020-06 (4.16.0)		Chapter 1. Initial Reading