DS5 - Is this the beginning of the end for uVision?

I guess that, this is a preparation for the promotion of ARM based smartbook (Cortex-A).

DS-5 Application Edition is the first of three planned DS-5 editions. It supports Linux and Android native application development with a GNU compiler optimized for ARM Linux and an Ethernet or serial connection to the target. Future editions will include kernel and driver debug and trace, and the highly optimizing ARM Compiler.

If ARM wants to defeat Netbook (X86) with their Smartbook, they will need as more as possible useful applications running on smartbooks; then as more as possible useful drivers/devices.

I heard that the Adobe Flash Player for ARM Cortex-A is fully prepared.

Those are differences between UV4 as it stands and GS5 as it stands.

I see no reasons there that UV4 shouldn't be replaced by something Eclipse-based.

After all, why would Keil want to maintain two independent streams?

And there are plenty of Eclipse-based tools around for "small" systems on "small" processors.

Hi

I would prefere eclipse as IDE instead of uVision4. The Editor of uVision4 is antiquide from my point of view. If Keil would use eclipse they could put more effort into developing of their configurator, compiler, linker, simulator and debugger support. This could by a win win situation.

Regards

Raphael

I generally agree, but I guess there are other reasons for maintaining uv4, at least for now - mainly: employment issues, the brand, etc. etc. etc.

I would prefere eclipse as IDE instead of uVision4

Not much interested in Atmel, I did stumble over (do not ask me where) a comment on some Atmel (I think) recently released Eclipse based development system.

The comment was something like It is so slow you can cry and I just found out why: it's Java.

Anyhow being a 'speed freak' and thus running commandline, I did not do a thorough read

Erik

Eclipse or not, it would be wonderful if the various emulators would start looking alike.

Erik

That's only the IDE framework - the underlying compilation tools are (or can be) still exactly the same as used by uVision.

Why is it called "DS5" - why five?

Keil haven't had a "DS" before - so why start at five?

The obvious conclusion to jump to is that it is intended to be the next thing after uVision-4...?!

I disagree with the opinion that Eclipse is becoming a standard. It more seems to be just another hype similar to the "Linux-will-become-the-standard-desktop-OS" I hear since 10 years.
Eclipse is an IDE framework that allows to quickly crank out half-descent toolchains. But honestly: Have you seen one that got that to a professional level in all aspects of bare-metal development?
Eclipse is just another Editor with some extensions that requires you to take care of a lot of new dependencies (using the correct Eclipse version on the correct JRE, ..). And all that at Java performance and reliability. Hooray!
I'll stick with tools designed and optimized for a special purpose as long as possible.
I also do not care which technology runs under the hood as long as the tool I [b]need[/b] enables me to get my project done. I hope uVision will still be around for a while.

Well, that is my observation.

I've seen several previously proprietary IDEs switch to Eclipse-based; eg, TI's Code Composer Studio.

And several newcomers are starting with something Eclipse-based, rather than roll their own - as would have happened previously.

"Eclipse is an IDE framework..."

Agreed.

"...that allows to quickly crank out half-decent toolchains"

As ever, anything that allows you to "crank out" stuff quickly does also allow you to crank out a load of rubbish very quickly!

From what I've observed, building an IDE within the Eclipse framework is not at all trivial - and it is all too easy to crank-out a piece of junk.

There is currently no intention to drop uVision4. In fact, we plan to maintain and improve uVision4 for several years.

DS-5 is currently only for Linux application development for ARM-processor based silicon. Soon, it will be soon extended to support Linux kernel development.

DS-5 may replace over time RVDS4 (hence we named it DS-5). However this is a long term approach and therefore RVDS4 is and will be the product that supports bare metal development for ARM SoC.

Note: RVDS stands for ARM RealView Development Studio.

I have some issues with uv4, but the nicest thing about it is that once you have a license, it works without any issues (as long as you follow the release notes of course).
almost configurations are required, and it gets the jobs done. also, Keil direct access to the guys that write and maintain the best ARM tool chain around is a huge asset.

I disagree with the opinion that Eclipse is becoming a standard. It more seems to be just another hype similar to the "Linux-will-become-the-standard-desktop-OS" I hear since 10 years.
The "Java based" of Eclipse is probably a nod to the Linux "insisters" who will not win for ages, anyhow. So, next, the actual compiler, assembler and linker will be "Java based" and we can go back to renaming "building the project" to "coffee break"

As always, flexibility cost throughput. and DO NOT, Mr Gates, tell me to just get a faster PC.

NO, this is not a "fan letter" to Windows, it is slow, power hungry, obnoxious, ... this is about the cost of "flexibility"

Erik

PS it has always puzzled me that there is a push to make 'green' PCs and no push to making software efficient enough to be fast on a less capable (less power hungry) PC. Just compare Hasta la Vista to XP as in PC power requirements.