> First:  What beginner's book do you recommend for entry level PIC
> programming for the 16F84?

        I found the 16F84 datasheet and MPLAB tutorial were enough for me.

> Second:  Is the 16F876 code-compatible with the 16F84?  Just
> wondering if I
> should start with the '876 instead of the F84.

        Pretty much, most of the 16F series is practically code compatible, the
only differences are in initializeation, some of them have peripherals that
are ON by default (ie. analog comparators), the datasheet mentions all of
this.

        As for which PIC you should start with I recommend the 16F628, it's cheaper
then any other flash part, has alot of good stuff (such as USART, internal
RC) and it has alot of I/O for it's size (16 pins can be used for input, 15
pins can be used for output). Thanks, TTYL

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