I'd consider a state machine type method for this sort of thing, from
what little I know so far.  (State machines use a look up table to "know
where they are" in stepping through a more involved process of handling
communications, and how to handle whatever happens - so you need to
handle timeouts, errors, and so on - each with a state the program knows
how to "jump to", though the same code handles all states usually, with
subroutines for some processes, often.)

  I'll teach anyone state machines if interested.  (Anyone have some
"beginners' coding techniques" tutorials about things like this?  That'd
be handy!)

  Mark

> varney wrote:
>
> I am using a 16F84 for a host controller. The IC that I am hosting
> uses 8 bit packets to TX and RX data. The packets change in qty from 4
> to 8 packet per communication. The host (PIC16F84) will always
> initialize the transfer and the IC will always respond. I believe that
> a look up table will not be enough to accomplish the task of
> controlling this IC. Any suggestions on methodology or an approach for
> hosting this IC.
>
>
> Gordon Varney