cyberia429-piclist@yahoo.com.au wrote:
> PIC16F877-04/P PIC16F877 Flash 40-pin 4MHz 8kB Micro
> PIC16F877-20/P PIC16F877 Flash 40-pin 20MHz 8kB Micro. With A/D
> PIC16F877A-I/L
> PIC16F877A Flash 44-pin 4MHz 8kB Microcontroller (??)
> PIC16F877A-I/P PIC16F877A Flash 40-pin 4MHz 8kB Microcontroller
>
> For starters, 44 pin is no good 'coz I use a 40 pin Picstart+

That's the QFP package variant.  The DIP package has 40 pins.

> What's this 4Mhz vs 20MHz?

Some don't make the grade during test.  So instead of tossing them, they
sell them for a reduced price.

> Would anyone be willing to offer advice on what I
> should go for? Especially any gotchas v/v the F877A?

Microchip has many PICs so that there is usually a pretty tight fit for most
volume applications where a few cents makes a difference.  If you are
looking for something to use in low volume, like for personal projects, most
of the PICs don't make sense.  The 16F877A is a capable part, but for
general purpose low volume use I wouldn't mess with the 16 family at all
except when physical size and sometimes power consumption is important.

For general purpose "hobby" PICs from 28 to 40 pins in DIP package, I would
stick to the PIC 30 family or at least the PIC 18 family.  Some choices are:

30F3013  -  28 pins, 12 bit A/Ds, 2 UARTS, 8K code words
30F4012  -  28 pins, 10 bit A/Ds, 1 UART, 16K code words
30F4011  -  Same as 30F4012 but in 40 pin package

18F4520  -  General purpose 40 pin, same footprint as 16F877A but faster and
  more memory
18F2520  -  Same thing in 28 pins.


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