Hardware vs. Software Breakpoints

MPLAB ICD 4 Help

Debugger Usage : Breakpoints and Stopwatch : Table: Hardware vs. Software Breakpoints

Table: Hardware vs. Software Breakpoints

Feature

Hardware Breakpoints

Software Breakpoints

Number of breakpoints

Limited

Unlimited

Breakpoints written to*

Internal Debug Registers

Flash Program Memory

Breakpoints applied to**

Program Memory/Data Memory

Program Memory only

Time to set breakpoints

Minimal

Dependent on oscillator speed, time to program Flash Memory, and page size

Breakpoint skidding

Most devices. See the online Help, Limitations section, for details.

No

* Where information about the breakpoint is written in the device.

** What kind of device feature applies to the breakpoint. This is where the breakpoint is set.

Breakpoint and Stopwatch Usage

Breakpoints halt execution of code. To determine the time between the breakpoints, use the stopwatch.

Refer to the MPLAB X IDE online Help for instructions on how to set up and use breakpoints and the stopwatch.

Microchip Support

Help Updated: 2019-06-25 10:29:53Z

Help Page: 27

Feature	Hardware Breakpoints	Software Breakpoints
Number of breakpoints	Limited	Unlimited
Breakpoints written to*	Internal Debug Registers	Flash Program Memory
Breakpoints applied to**	Program Memory/Data Memory	Program Memory only
Time to set breakpoints	Minimal	Dependent on oscillator speed, time to program Flash Memory, and page size
Breakpoint skidding	Most devices. See the online Help, Limitations section, for details.	No
* Where information about the breakpoint is written in the device. ** What kind of device feature applies to the breakpoint. This is where the breakpoint is set.