>> What PIC programming tools are recommended.
>
>Depends on who you ask, I'd guess... :-)

I would agree with that sentiment :))

>> I'm a hobbyist but want a good programmer that
>> will cover most if not all pic chips and also
>> debug / emulator tools.
>
>Personaly I have used the stuff comming from Wouter
>with good results :
>http://www.voti.nl/wisp628/index.html

That would do fine for a programmer.

However the base line for development tools is the MPLAB program suite from
Microchip, but I assume you already know that. There is also a GNU tool set
that I believe is reasonably compatible with the assembler, and is possibly
somewhat better as a simulator, but I have no experience with it.

To do debugging with the MPLAB tool set outside the simulator, you need an
In Circuit Debugger, the current model is ICD2, and it will allow functions
within the chip to be used to single step the code, and read out registers,
along with programming the chip. It does have some limitations when it deals
with hardware peripherals when you reach a breakpoint, but provided you are
aware of what happens, and arrange breakpoints accordingly then it can be
worked around.

The ICD2 is a bit expensive for hobbyist use, but there is a cheaper clone
available from Olimex http://www.olimex.com/ and follow the "MSP PIC AVR"
link to PIC and then under debuggers. This unit is reputed to work
seamlessly with MPLAB.

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