On Mon, Aug 07, 2006 at 09:34:56PM +0200, Richard Le Mesurier wrote:
>  > Microchip has a GREAT site. Learn to use it!

> I would like to make/understand an intelligent programmer. I would also 
> like to find out more about in-circuit debugging, how it works, and 
> eventually how to make one.

> I guess I'm just the type who wants to understand these simple computers 
> on a technical level. I've been down the asm road on the 80286, written 
> a mini os, dos device drivers etc, and found it really helped me learn 
> to program/understand the pc better. Also making it real easy getting to 
> grips with a lot of this subject matter. So I'm trying to learn about 
> pics from the bottom up, like I did with the 8086. Like I said ... I 
> have lots of time...

Well there's no worries about that. You'll have to work down to the bottom
level almost by definition. But as Olin pointed out, it's a lot of work for
not too much gain. Toolbuilding isn't going to get your applications out
any faster in this instance.

> On the 16f84 and why I am using them - well I now own 4 of them and paid 
> (yes I know about sample service now) a lot for them, so am going to use 
> them til I need more (by then I should have a PO box and be on the 
> sample program so I don't have to pay so much for the chips - in South 
> Africa they seem expensive).

Understood. But a bit more on my advise from before. Use the 16F84 to do
simple projects just to understand how the PIC operates. But before you
dive off the deep end into something complex, move up to a chip that has
more periperals under its belt.

For example you talk about high speed communications in your post. With
a 16F84, the only way to accomplish this task is by bit banging. Now there's
nothing wrong with bit banging per se. But many novices associate the 
technique with high speed communications. Then they fail to use the on
chip tools such as the USART, I2C, MSSP type modules that will handle
these communications tasks for you.

If you really want to get down and dirty, spend your time learning how
each periperal works to the fullest.

BAJ
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