i've been using them for years.
snuberless triacs cost a little more , but there worth it.
u can use these with pics.
there's an application note that states how many pins to use with various
kinds of snuberless triacs.
starts from one (obviously) up to 4 pins for bta/btb triacs.
this application works on the principle of Ig being 2Igt( for eg. triac with
10ma Ig,use 20ma)

Jim Ruxton wrote:

> Hi Eric
> >I've been following the recent discussion about TRIACs, SCRs, Zero
> crossing
> >detection, etc.  Most of it went over my head but I did pick up a
> little.
> SNIP
> I just noticed today in an SGS Thompson publication that they are making
> triacs with built in transient suppresion that can be driven directly
> from a microcontroller. They are even making small ones in arrays of 4
> in a package. May be worth checking out. Good luck with the house.
> Jim