ERIC SCHLAEPFER wrote:

> Hi Dave,  ( And everyone else who replied to my cry for help. )
>
> Looks good. I'll have to try the file out. Also, if the I/O is write
> only, that means a shift register could be put in to shift out 4-bit
> data using only 2 I/O lines. Add 2 data lines to the E line and the
> C/D line, and you have 4 I/O pins for the LCD. Not bad.

  While you *could* use an extra data bit from a SIPO shift register
(74HC164) to provide the C/D signal, using a shift register to provide
the Enable bit as well requires a latched shift register (74HC595) which
in turn requires an extra Latch Enable bit so you are not winning.

  I think it would be easier to use an 8-bit non-latched shift register
and 8-bit transfer mode.  Remember that the two inputs to the shift
register and/ or all eight outputs; and the PIC pins used for the C/D
(and R/~W) are all share-able for other output, and even input
functions, only the enable function is unique.

  Cheers,
        Paul B.