Joseph Don't panic MPLAB is an Integrated Development Environment, or IDE. By itself, it doesn't do much. When it is combined with some of the tool suites from Microchip and others, it is prety neat. The default installation includes assemblers, linkers, deguggers, and simulators. In addition, programs to drive some of Microchip's programmers are included. MPLAB is built so that third parties can design their compilers, linkers, programmers etc. to plug in. But, in the case of programmers, few do because it's really not such a big deal to have the programmer as a separate thing. Most of the time I use FPP which is competely not integrated with MPLAB. What this means is that when I need to program my PIC, I click reload and program in another window. Ok, so there are two big drawbacks ... first, it's another window, and second, it's two clicks instead of one. Well, I can live with that! Actually, I generally don't click. I generally do it with the keybard, so it's a couple more keystrokes. Hardly a problem. --McD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Pantoga" To: Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 5:47 PM Subject: [PIC] Programmer kit with MPLAB? > I recently bought the PIC Microcontroller programming kit 149 from > Carl's Electronics and in the instructions, > it says how you can use their own program to program the PIC, > MicroPIC. Does this mean that I can only use this program, or can I > use MPLAB? Will I need special drivers? This is my first experience > with PIC programmers, so my knowledge is severely limited (everyone > has to start somewhere!). Thanks, > Jpantoga > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist