DEBUG HEX VS RELEASE HEX

rwalborn · Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 8 Location: USA

Should the debug hex and release hex files be radically different even those the listing files are almost identical. when comparing the hex files using the file compare tool, there are minor differences in code scattered all thru the code. Is this normal?

temtronic · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 2:45 pm

yes it is 'normal' and shows why a program compiled in 'debug' mode will NOT function correctly when burned into a PIC and run 'in the real World'.
It's also why my default is 'release' mode as I've never needed the 'debug' function in 25+ years since I've always tested 'in the real World'.

Jay

rwalborn · Joined: 12 Dec 2011 Posts: 8 Location: USA

Thanks for the reply. the reason I asked , is that I have a program that runs connects to usb in debug mode but not in release mode.

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

The fuses change between debug and release modes. Compile for both
modes and compare the fuses listed at the end of the .LST file in each
case. See if you can find a problem.

temtronic · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:30 pm

Without seeing the code or context I have to assume the program is using some of the 'features' of the debugger which of course are not available in the 'release' version.
Using the 'debug' version in the 'real World' could lead to a lot of trouble as someone could 'press a key' and invoke a debugging feature...altering variables, sending bad data or at the very least crashing the PIC.

Those that have used the 'debugger' for years may know about 'hidden commands', memory usage, errors in timing, etc. Things were a LOT simpler 30-40 years ago !

Jay

Ttelmah · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 19535

The other thing, is if he is running in debug mode, he presumably has the debugger connected?. If so, there is an extra power connection, and ground, and also the MCLR pin is being controlled by the debugger.....