Editing PIC microcontrollers (section)

==Development tools==
{{Main article|MPLAB}}
Microchip provides a [[freeware]] [[Integrated development environment|IDE]] package called [[MPLAB|MPLAB X]], which includes an assembler, linker, software [[simulator]], and debugger. They also sell C compilers for the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, PIC24, PIC32 and dsPIC, which integrate cleanly with MPLAB X. Free versions of the C compilers are also available with all features. But for the free versions, optimizations will be disabled after 60 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en010014|title=MPLAB XC8 Compiler for PIC10/12/16/18 MCUs}}</ref>

Several third parties develop [[C (programming language)|C]] language [[compilers]] for PICs, many of which integrate to MPLAB and/or feature their own IDE. A fully featured compiler for the PICBASIC language to program PIC microcontrollers is available from meLabs, Inc. [[Mikroelektronika]] offers PIC compilers in C, BASIC and Pascal programming languages.

A graphical programming language, [[Flowcode]], exists capable of programming 8- and 16-bit PIC devices and generating PIC-compatible C code. It exists in numerous versions from a free demonstration to a more complete professional edition.

The [[Proteus Design Suite]] is able to simulate many of the popular 8 and 16-bit PIC devices along with other circuitry that is connected to the PIC on the schematic. The program to be simulated can be developed within Proteus itself, MPLAB or any other development tool.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.circuitsgallery.com/2013/08/proteus-pic-simulation2.html|title=How to Simulate PIC Microcontroller in Proteus Design Suite 8 - Circuits Gallery|date=2013-08-02|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-12}}</ref>