Thanks to everyone for replying, Both still sound very interesting but the copy protection on the Proton compiler is a concern. In answer to Lawrence's question, I write windows apps etc in Delphi 7, The ability to write apps for everything from web apps to windows services and the ability to reuse the same code in a lot of cases for Linux is a major plus. Not to mention the free components that you can download such as the Jedi and Indy component sets which are amazing. USB support was a free download. The windows side is the easy part. Even with PICBASIC the HID descriptors are still causing problems. The examples from Microchip are a bit poor in that they emulate devices like keyboards and mice where I want bi-directional communications. There was a very poor demo program available from Elektor, the supplied hex file does not work and there was no asm code included, luckily there was a .$$$ backup that had the asm in it. Good places to start anyway... This will end up being a commercial app, and no I wont be joining USB-IF. I am using Snoopy for coms testing and doing the rest the hard way with crash and burn. Regards Lee McLaren -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of llile@SALTONUSA.COM Sent: Tuesday, 10 February 2004 5:27 AM To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: Re: [PIC:] Which is the best PICBASIC compiler and development environment? Programming the '745 should be a snap, relatively. However I am no windows programmer. I am considering using Visual Basic ont he Windows side, because of familiarity, relative simplicity and because Jan Axelson's USB Complete 1st ed. shows examples in Visual Basic. The descriptions of reports, descriptor tables, classes, endpoints and so on has my head spinning. Need to get Axelson's 2nd edition. What are you doing on the PC side of the USB plug? What tools, references, or preparation do you consider necessary for completing a USB project? For instance, a USB protocol analyzer? (Which could set you back more than a good scope) is this necessary? Apparently Axelson wrote her first USB edition without this tool. Sorta like programming a PIC wihtout ICD or ICE, which I have done plenty of times. Is this a commercial project? If so is your company joining the USB-IF? Who do you plan to use for USB 2.0 compliance testying? Outside labs, or a plugfest? -- Lawrence Lile Senior Project Engineer Toastmaster, Inc. Division of Salton, Inc. 573-446-5661 voice 573-446-5676 fax Lee McLaren Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list 02/09/2004 03:07 AM Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: Subject: [PIC:] Which is the best PICBASIC compiler and development environment? Hi All, I normally program in asm but are looking for a rapid development language. It is important that I can write USB code for the 16c745, I know I will still have to edit the HID description etc manually but are looking for some way to speed things up a little. I have found at least two PICBASIC compilers on the net, Proton and MEL. Are there others? Is there a clear winner in feature or performance (such as code size etc)? I would prefer to pay for a commercial product to get ongoing development. Cost is not important (within reason!). I am trying to avoid C if I can, I already know how to write Basic or Pascal. regards Lee McLaren -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu