How to write text to an LCD with MikroC using a Pic

In this project, we'll use a pic chip to write text to a 2 row LCD screen (HD44780 or similar). MikroC has a built in library that provides communication through a four bit interface. We will only be using Lcd_Init, Lcd_Cmd and Lcd_Out. Read more on programming a pic to power an lcd by going that page!

Declaring Variables in MikroC

I've been getting emails lately asking if there is any special sequence for declaring variables or functions using mikroc. The answer is no! You declare them just as you would in normal / embedded C. For example, I will use a snippet from a sample MikroC project. The following program prints text to a 2x16 lcd display.


char *text = "mikroElektronika";


void main() {
  Lcd_Init(&PORTD);             // Lcd_Init_EP4, see Autocomplete


  LCD_Cmd(LCD_CLEAR);           // Clear display
  LCD_Cmd(LCD_CURSOR_OFF);      // Turn cursor off
  Delay_ms(1000);
  LCD_Out(1,1, text);           // Print text to LCD, 1st row, 1st column
  Delay_ms(1000);
  LCD_Out(2,6,"mikroE");        // Print text to LCD, 2nd row, 6th column
}


If you were to change the name of the main() function, you could use it in another project to write text to a 2x16 lcd. Have a look at this:

char *text = "mikroElektronika";

void print_LCDtxt() {

  Lcd_Init(&PORTD);             // Lcd_Init_EP4, see Autocomplete

  LCD_Cmd(LCD_CLEAR);           // Clear display

  LCD_Cmd(LCD_CURSOR_OFF);      // Turn cursor off

  Delay_ms(1000);

  LCD_Out(1,1, text);           // Print text to LCD, 1st row, 1st column

  Delay_ms(1000);

  //LCD_Out(2,6,"mikroE");        // Print text to LCD, 2nd row, 6th column

}

If you were to copy and paste this in an existing mikroC project (provided this code doesn't conflict with yoou existing ports), you would be able to call this function at any time, printing whatever text you have placed in the *text char.

Hope this answers your question! Feel free to comment :)