Struggling to use Atollic TrueStudio v9.0.1

Question

Hey there,

I've recently purchased a STM32F4DISC board and I'm having trouble to use the TrueStudio. I feel that is not enough documentation out there. Does anyone recommend it or can point to another tool?

I gave a try to Truestudio because its free ( fully- featured)

Oh, also, I haven't understood yet the folder structure so I can make a proper .gitignore file.

any help appreciated,

thanks

Edit: I already used MDK and IAR to run some codes and I didn't have problems with them, they were pretty straight forward. It happens that both tools are limited and as David pointed out in the comments the TrueStudio was purchased by ST and made it all for FREE. Also, TrueStudio runs with GCC compiler and integrates with git, therefore I considered to use it for my projects, but it seems lack in proper documentation about itself ( I even haven't been able to program my target without debugging and it seems to run slow to compiler or navigate). I guess there is some configuration out there to make my experience more fluid.

Note1: My PC is a core-i5 7th gen, 8GB RAM DDR4

Note2: About run slow, I had been working with Cypress PoC Creator and MPLABX succesfully.

koudelad · Accepted Answer

I haven't used the mentioned IDEs professionally, just for hobby use. Here are my observations, but you will have to do your own research depending on target applications. MDK is a general purpose IDE that can serve many target architectures. There is a free "unlimited" version for STM32L0/F0 , however, if I remember correctly, these devices have Cortex M0/M0+ and not much memory. For other families is the code size restricted (16 kbytes?). I used this IDE for Tiva C family from Texas Instruments. I also had trouble to compile a program for L4 series, after installing the L0 licence - the IDE seems to lock itself after licence installation. If I wanted to compile some bigger code example from STM, I used AC6. Eclipse based IDE can hardly surprise anyone, all of them look similiar, just smaller adjustments are made. The sad story is many IDEs use Eclipse, but I haven't heard of anyone who can merge all these together, so there will be one common IDE with different toolchains for different vendors. I haven't used IAR, but this IDE was one of the featured in STM's online courses, so I guess even STM employees use(d) it. One thing to consider is the underlying compiler. I don't have that much experience, but my coworker told me that gcc based compilers have bad performace for Cortex M0/M0+ and other low end families. Some speed optimizations create actually slower code, some features are impossible to do in low end families (he specifically mentioned VGA signal generator - perfect in Keil, impossible on gcc). David

shabaz · Answer

Hi João! I was curious too, I've never used STM32, but I ordered some recently to learn, so very interested to hear what IDEs you and David recommend. I've used IAR in the past on other processors, not STM, and I loved it. However, it is expensive (although they will negotiate and cut the price down, but it's still too high for me). I've not used MDK with any processor unfourtunately. I think I'd want to use GCC if possible, I'll definitely install TrueStudio if you guys think that is the way to go. But I'm equally happy with CLI if TrueStudio doesn't work out. Hopefully I'll try installing Truestudio at least, this week (and keep you updated).

dougw · Answer

I downloaded the TrueStudio software as well. It seems like it should work with this card, but I have not progressed far enough yet to be able to contribute any solutions. It appears all the demo software was developed on commercial IDEs. I am still trying to find an example and better documentation on the camera interface.

koudelad · Answer

You are right - most (if not all) code examples are built in TrueStudio, Keil and IAR, with project files provided. All three were also used in their online courses. It is kind of fun that the presenter creates code in CubeMX and exports to different IDEs during a single lesson. I am curious, what kind of support will be in the other IDEs for new devices, when the TrueStudio will be the preffered.

koudelad · Answer

Hello, Here is an official list of supported IDEs for STM32 microcontrollers: https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/products/development-tools/software-development-tools/stm32-software-development-to… IDEs in a green box are free. ST now recommends TrueStudio, because ST bought Attolic, company which develops TrueStudio: https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/about/media-center/press-item.html/c2839.html The promise is that TrueStudio will support all STM32 microcontrollers without any limitations. David

jpnbino · Answer

Thank you koudelad , I should have specified better recommendations based on own experience. I already knew about the purchase and I took a ride in MDK and IAR IDEs and I could run codes and get to know folder structure and soon, but they are limited as you might know. So, could you tell me if you had experience programming STM32 using any IDE? I'm sorry for not specifying my question and telling some background, I will update right now. shabaz , I saw you were here too, so if you wanna look at the edition and know something would be awesome. João Paulo

elil1975 · Answer

I have been UNFORTUNATELY using Atollic since a few months ago. Before then I had used mostly IAR for ARM. I can tell you that while IAR or Kail GUI look outdated , their debugger is perfect. Atollic, in contrast, is based on GDB Debugger, and is an absolute CRAP. Nightmare...It is really a wasting time. If i were you I would buy a NUCLEO with Cortex L0+ of ST, like STM32L071, if there is a such and just use a free MDK. Otherwise, if you need M4 and not M0, consider using Embedded Studio of Segger. It is free for Education needs.

Good luck!

elil1975 · Answer

I'm writing to update that yesterday I tried Segger's Ozone Debugger and it worked very well for me, in contrast with the GDB Debugger of Atollic. For example, with compiler optimization on, GDB Debugger works absolutely improperly and one can take wrong decisions accordingly. The same optimized code worked properly for me with Ozone.

Struggling to use Atollic TrueStudio v9.0.1

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