pic16c55 project
You CAN simulate pushing the button in MPLAB IDE.
First, select the simulator: Debugger..Select tool.. MPLAB SIM
Then click Debugger.. Stimulus controller..New scenario.
A window will pop up. Click on the Pin/SFR header and from the dropdown box select the pin you want. Click on the Action header and select the type of input you want. I usually use Toggle, because I control it manually, without having to think too much about duration. But if the application requires pulses of a certain width, you can select those, too. And you can also set the pin to LOW or HIGH.
Continue with other pins.
Then, whenever you need to apply the pin stimulus, just click on the > sign at the left, to fire the stimulus. For a toggle, the pin state will change. You can then step through your program and see if it performs as expected.
You can then save the scenario, for use in another project. However, it it not absolutely necessary, and if you save the workspace before closing the project, then those settings will be preserved, so next time you work they will be there.
I hope this helps.
VVV