Getting Started
This page explains how to set up the TinyCLR programming environment. It covers device and computer setup and deployment of a "hello world" program.
Tip
If you're an existing user of NETMF and still want to use it in addition to TinyCLR OS, don't worry. TinyCLR is completely independent of NETMF and works side-by-side with no issues.
TinyCLR Device Setup
To use TinyCLR with a device you must first install the latest versions of the GHI bootloader and TinyCLR firmware on the device. The bootloader is installed first and provides a way to install the firmware and to execute programs which are uploaded to the device.
The TinyCLR firmware includes the Common Language Runtime (CLR) which converts compiled code into machine instructions and manages program execution. The TinyCLR firmware is also responsible for interacting with Microsoft Visual Studio to load and debug your application programs.
Instructions for installing the bootloader and firmware are provided on the documentation page for each device. If you want to use your own device, visit our porting guide for information on how to get started.
TinyCLR Computer Setup
Download and Install Visual Studio and the TinyCLR Extension
- If you don't already have Visual Studio 2017, download and install the free version from here: Visual Studio Community 2017.
- Make sure to select the
.NET desktop development
workload when installing Visual Studio. Download and install the newest TinyCLR Visual Studio Project System by going to
Tools
>Extensions and Updates...
. In theExtensions and Updates
dialog box selectOnline
in the left panel. Typetinyclr
into theSearch
text box in the upper right of the window to search for and install theTinyCLR OS Project System
. You'll need to restart Visual Studio to let the extension installer complete the installation.You can also find the TinyCLR OS Project System on our Downloads page if you want to download the file and install it from your hard drive.
Install the TinyCLR Nuget Packages
- Connect your device to your PC using a USB cable (make sure your device has the latest firmware installed).
- Start Visual Studio and create a new
TinyCLR Application
underC# > TinyCLR
. New to Visual Studio or C#? Take a look at the getting started guide from Microsoft. Right click on your Project in the Solution Explorer panel and select
Manage NuGet Packages
. If the Solution Explorer window is not visible, open it by selectingSolution Explorer
in theView
menu. You can also selectManage NuGet Packages...
in theProject
menu of Visual Studio.Make sure the package source is set to "Package source" or "All."
In the search box type "tinyclr"
Selecting the
Browse
tab will show all the TinyCLR NuGet packages. Those installed are noted with a green down arrow in front of the name.To install one of the packages click on the down arrow to the right of the package version.
You can also select the package and click on the Install
button in the center panel.
Click
OK
to accept the proposed changes.Accept the licensing agreement to install the package.
And, that's it! You're now ready to start programming using TinyCLR OS.
Starting a New Project
Let's make a "hello world" program and deploy it on the FEZ Cobra III.
Open Visual Studio and select File > New > Project
.
There should be a TinyCLR
option under Visual C#
. Click on TinyCLR
in the left panel, and TinyCLR Application
in the center panel. Name the project and hit the OK
button to create a new project.
The project will have a single C# file named Program.cs
whose contents are shown below.
C# source files are listed in the Solution Explorer
window. If the Solution Explorer
window is not visible, click on View > Solution Explorer
to open it.
If you right click on the project name in the Solution Explorer window, a drop down menu will appear. Select Manage NuGet Packages...
from the menu.
Now you should see the installed TinyCLR NuGet library (GHIElectronics.TinyCLR.Core). This is the only library we will need for our "hello world" program.
Close the NuGet...
tab or click on the Program.cs
tab to edit the source code. Change the contents as shown below.
Make sure your device is plugged into the computer's USB port. Now hit the start button as shown on the above image (or hit the F5
key). If you've done everything correctly the program will compile and deploy to your device. The message "Hello World!" should appear in the output window as shown below.
Congratulations! You're on your way to becoming a TinyCLR embedded developer!
To learn more about TinyCLR embedded programming check out our tutorials.
You can also visit our main website at www.ghielectronics.com and our community forums at forums.ghielectronics.com.