Getting Started

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

  1. If you don't already have Visual Studio 2017, download and install the free version from here: Visual Studio Community 2017.
  2. Make sure to select the .NET desktop development workload when installing Visual Studio.

  3. Download and install the newest TinyCLR Visual Studio Project System by going to Tools > Extensions and Updates.... In the Extensions and Updates dialog box select Online in the left panel. Type tinyclr into the Search text box in the upper right of the window to search for and install the TinyCLR OS Project System. You'll need to restart Visual Studio to let the extension installer complete the installation. Install TinyCLR Extension

    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

  1. Connect your device to your PC using a USB cable (make sure your device has the latest firmware installed).
  2. Start Visual Studio and create a new TinyCLR Application under C# > TinyCLR. New to Visual Studio or C#? Take a look at the getting started guide from Microsoft.

  3. 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 selecting Solution Explorer in the View menu. You can also select Manage NuGet Packages... in the Project menu of Visual Studio. View Show Solution Explorer

  4. Make sure the package source is set to "Package source" or "All." Set package source

  5. In the search box type "tinyclr" Search for TinyCLR

  6. 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. Browse NuGet Feed

  7. To install one of the packages click on the down arrow to the right of the package version. Add Nuget Package

You can also select the package and click on the Install button in the center panel. Nuget-package-install-button

  1. Click OK to accept the proposed changes. Accept changes

  2. Accept the licensing agreement to install the package. Accept Agreement for NuGet

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.

New TinyCLR Project

The project will have a single C# file named Program.cs whose contents are shown below.

Program.cs

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.

Solution Explorer

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.

View Show Solution Explorer

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.

Installed NuGet

Close the NuGet... tab or click on the Program.cs tab to edit the source code. Change the contents as shown below.

Hello World Program

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.

Output Window

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.