There's lots of ways to do this and it's hard to call one "right" or
"wrong". But here's the advice I wish someone gave me when I started:

You can do a lot with a breadboard and a bootloader, true you need a
programmer to load the bootloader from scratch but there are several
options available including the PG2c from Olimex for $13US including
shipping. (BTW it can do ICSP also)

There are plenty of good- free bootloaders out there to get you started
(Wouter's and the one at www.microchipc.com come to mind) and plenty of
options for programming languages. Of course Microchip's MPLab is free so
you can work in assembly, but there's also JAL, and several 'demo' versions
of other compilers that are perfectly suitable for getting started.

As for the chip, I'd probably recommend starting with the 16F87x family.
Not that it's better or worse than anything else, just there seems to be
more example projects on the web and in books and magazines. You should be
able to get some free samples direct from Microchip.

I hooked my brother up with an outfit like this last Christmas.
New breadboard $25
9V wall wart/7805 regulator $3
max232 / caps / db9 connector $5
Olimex programmer $13
Serial cable $4
Some resonators / crystals and discrete from my junk box.

Total cost about $50, less if you already have some of the parts. He had
blinking lights about 45 minutes after opening the box.

Good luck
-Denny

> I am a software developer (Java, C++, C, ...) with
> some basic hobby experience breadboarding very simple
> circuits.  I want to get started with PICs, but I am
> having a tough time figuring out which chip,
> programmer, and compiler to use.
>
> What (I think) I want is:
> * a PIC using the newest CPU core -- i.e., 18Fxxx
> * in circuit programming -- I don't like the thought
> of moving the chip around, breaking pins, etc.
> * programmer software that runs on Windows XP
> * an inexpensive C compiler
> * All this for under $200 -- otherwise my wife will
> make me pay in other ways :)
>
> Am I asking too much?
>
> Here are some options I am considering:
> 1. Wouter van Ooijen's Wisp628 programmer. Uses
> bootloader, but I have to get the bootloader
> programmed.  Also, I think I would have to use JAL.
> While this seems like a reasonable language, I would
> prefer not to learn another language.  Also, it
> doesn't sound like the programmer software for the PC
> supports Windows XP.
> 2. Warp 13.  This looks like a decent programmer, but
> the disclaimer about in-circuit programming concerns
> me.  I really would like to do in-circuit programming.
> 3. MPLAB ICD 2.  This sounds like it might work, but
> is a bit expensive.  Also, I'm not sure if it supports
> 18Fxxx chips or whether I need additional parts.
>
> I would greatly appreciate any help with my decision
> so I can get started.
>
> -- DW
>
>
>
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