Developing with AppBuilder#

Simplicity Studio® 5 (SSv5)'s AppBuilder is a graphical tool used to create configurations and build Application Framework files. The AppBuilder configuration files indicate which features and functions you would like for your compiled binary image. By using AppBuilder along with an application framework, you can quickly create an application that includes all of the required functionality for the image's purpose.

AppBuilder must be used in conjunction with one of the Silicon Labs application frameworks, which are shipped as part of the SDK. All of the code that will be compiled into the binary image is included in the SDK distribution. AppBuilder creates configuration and build files that tell the application framework which portions of the code to include in, and which to exclude from, the compiled binary image.

With the exception of a few header (.h) files, AppBuilder does not generate the C source code for the application. All of the source code that ultimately will be included in the binary image is provided in the Application Framework.

In general, to develop an application using AppBuilder:

  1. Create an application based on one of the AppBuilder examples, such as Z3Switch.

  2. Customize the application on the various AppBuilder tabs. Functions can be added by enabling and configuring plugins.

  3. Click Generate to create application files.

  4. Optionally, add your own code to the application.

Once you have finishing customizing your project, build and flash it, and then test and debug it.