The Picocomputer explores retro computing and game development by removing the barrier between genuine 8-bit hardware and modern devices. It can be built entirely with through-hole components, compactly using surface mount devices, or even on a breadboard. No programming devices need to be purchased and the only component used that wasn't available in the 1980s is the $4/€4 Raspberry Pi Pico.
Read the documentation:
https://picocomputer.github.io/
This is only for building the Pi Pico software. For writing 6502 software, see rp6502-vscode.
Install the C/C++ toolchain for the Raspberry Pi Pico. For more information, read Getting started with the Raspberry Pi Pico.
sudo apt install cmake gcc-arm-none-eabi libnewlib-arm-none-eabi build-essential gdb-multiarch
All dependencies are submodules. The following will download the correct version of all SDKs. It will take an extremely long time to recurse the project, so do this instead:
git submodule update --init
cd src/pico-sdk
git submodule update --init
cd ../..
The Pi Pico VGA is no longer a Picoprobe. It remains a CDC for console access. To debug Pico RIA or Pico VGA code, you need a Debug Probe or a third Pi Pico as a Picoprobe.
The VSCode launch settings connect to a remote debug session. I use multiple terminals for the debugger and console. You'll also want to add a udev rule to avoid a sudo nightmare. The following are rough notes, you may need to install software which is beyond the scope of this README.
Create /etc/udev/rules.d/99-pico.rules with:
#Picoprobe
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="2e8a", MODE="0666"
Debug terminal:
openocd -f interface/cmsis-dap.cfg -c "adapter speed 5000" -f target/rp2040.cfg -s tcl
Console terminal:
minicom -c on -b 115200 -o -D /dev/ttyACM0
WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) can forward the Picoprobe to Linux:
PS> usbipd list
BUSID DEVICE
7-4 CMSIS-DAP v2 Interface, USB Serial Device (COM6)
PS> usbipd wsl attach --busid 7-4
WSL needs udev started. Create /etc/wsl.conf with:
[boot]
command="service udev start"
