----- Original Message ----- From: blacksheep > Well knowing some newbie questions could sound annoying, I sure accept > also gently redirections to on-line archive of answers to my stupid > questions... :-) > I got a programmer suitable for 16F84 (same number of pins) > which else PIC could I program with that? It depends on the programmer, which one are you using? > Which one do you suggest me to try to begin with? > I already have some 16F86... 16f628's are a popular upgrade from the 16f84's. They have more functionality built in, cheaper, and a newer platform. I'd suggest finding someone with a programmer that supports a part like the 16f877, or 16f876. These allow you to run bootloader type program and makes things very easy for someone to reprogram the chip without taking it out of the circuit or having a special programmer. (these parts allow for a resident program to reflash parts of its memory --Many other pics do not allow for this.) All that's required is a serial cable and a level shifter (max232 or like) --can be built in less than a half hour. Check out this: http://www.workingtechnologies.com/htpic/PIC_bootloader.htm > How could I infer from the name of the PIC? > 16F/C86 > is 16 the number of byte? what's F (orC) et-cetera.. > are there simple tables where to take such informations ? simply put F means flash and allows reprogramming. C for more traditional eprom structure, most only reprogrammable with a uv erase window package. The earlier 16c84 parts were eeprom and allowed reprogramming w/o the windowed part. Nowadays, part naming is more consistant. > Is it worth to home-build programmers for the PIC one decides to > use? It depends; the price is right --provided you don't count your time. I'd personally look at something like the bootloader for all your breadboard projects. If you want to move the project to a cheaper part like the 16f628, there are a number of "zero" parts programmers out there --although I hear they can be flakey at times. I've had good luck with the Conitecs' Galep 3,4 pocket programmers if you later get to the point of wanting to purchase one. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads