Allow me to bring this topic back to a newbie question...

Though I am a career electronics technician, I am just starting out in  
programming.  I have several books in attempt to learn C, including:   
"The C Programming Language" by Kernighan and Ritchie, "Teach Yourself  
C in 21 Days" by Jones and Aitken, and "Beginner's Guide to Embedded C  
Programming" by Chuck Hellebuyck.  In addition, I have a copy of Bert  
van Dam's excellent book, though it teaches the JAL language. (I must  
say I've already followed several of the projects in this book, and  
have played "what if" and properly altered the programs to output to  
different pins, etc.)

Most of the books seem to assume the reader has no prior programming  
knowledge. (That's me.)  With exception of the Embedded C book, they  
teach the basics of the C language, and the programming examples  
obviously output to the screen to see the results. The Embedded book  
utilizes a PicKit2 and the low pin count board for the projects.

I have purchased an online PIC C course that includes twelve lessons  
in PIC C, utilizing the free version of the MikroC compiler.  This  
lesson plan is by John Main at http://www.best-microcontroller-projects.com 
.  Is anyone familiar with this course?

Since I don't have any close friends to help guide me along, I'll ask  
here for opinions at how I should proceed.  My major interest is not  
in developing computer applications, but rather to enhance my  
electronics hobby enjoyment.  In time, I would hope to gain the  
knowledge to develop projects such as a PIC based digital clock -  
either LED or Nixie, an electronic keyer for my ham station, digital  
thermometer, etc.

I think I might answer my own question by saying C and Embedded C are  
inseparable, and understanding C is necessary to properly understand  
Embedded C?

While I understand it requires years of skill and knowledge to become  
proficient, one must start sometime as an absolute beginner.  I  
believe I may have the proper tools to begin, I just need to know how  
to start.


Joe
  
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist