# PICO Version & PICO 2 chip - How to Setup for C Language

**URL:** <https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/pico-version-pico-2-chip-how-to-setup-for-c-language/22290>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [22 April 2025 06:22 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/pico-version-pico-2-chip-how-to-setup-for-c-language/22290 "2025-04-22T06:22:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Geoff202258](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3bc359/32.png) [@Geoff202258](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Geoff202258)\
**Post date:** [22 April 2025 06:22 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/pico-version-pico-2-chip-how-to-setup-for-c-language/22290/1 "2025-04-22T06:22:15Z")

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Hi Forum,

**I am in need of using PI PICO 1 & 2 Boards, of using C Language,** and was wondering for recommendations of how to setup for Creating C Files and compile to executable ie blick.uf2

I have Visual Studio Code installed, but yet to buy the PI Debugger Probe.

Also need to use PIO Code as well

I have found the the C/C++ SDK files and the Getting Started… and the example projects but do not know if it is the correct setup.

I need to be able to send and receive packets of up to 72 bits in length, and the reassemble the reply packet. Each packet has a min. of 5ms quiet between each packet. It is one way.

The idea is to create a low cost DCC Master station (model trains), and a separate DCC Packet Sniffer which decodes the packet. a Bit = 1 → 58us +/-3us Bit = 0 → 100us +/-5us.

I have the basics working in micropython - sending and receiving bits. Yes I am using PIO code in both the transmitter PICO V1 and the separate receiver PICO V1.

Any recommendations for setting up in C environment will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,  
Geoff Cole

As I assemble more code to reassemble the sent packetI fear that I mayt start missing sent bits

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**Author:** ![ahsrab292840](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecb155/32.png) [@ahsrab292840](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/ahsrab292840)\
**Post date:** [22 April 2025 13:08 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/pico-version-pico-2-chip-how-to-setup-for-c-language/22290/2 "2025-04-22T13:08:22Z")

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CMake is essential for building projects on the Raspberry Pi Pico. In VSCode, you should configure your workspace to use CMake:

1. In the root of your project folder, create a `CMakeLists.txt` file.
2. Point it to the appropriate SDK and include the basic setup from the example projects