At 03:14 AM 3/13/2010, HuwD wrote: >The software the book recommends is >the "PIC Basic compiler". However it appears to come on a 3.5 inch floppy >disk and uses the either the serial or parrallel port on the PC to interface >with the Microcontroller. This seems a little antiquated and I was wandering >if there was anything more recent and ideally free to download. I would also >be good if I could connect to the microcontroller via USB. PICbasic (PB) is written by MELabs and is highly regarded by many people - it allows one to build code that runs fast but yet uses a very BASIC-like language. It was specifically designed to be code-compatible with the Parallax Basic Stamp. PICbasic Pro (PBP) adds MUCH more functionality but some of that comes at the expense of not being completely compatible with Parallax Stamps. I have one developer who uses only PIC Basic Pro when writing firmware for PIC's. He doesn't write in assembler and finds "C" compilers for the PIC to be cumbersome (he does write in C & C++ for PC's, though). He generally cranks out a project in PBP much faster than I can do in Assembler. We work well together - he often gets me to write stuff in assembler that he then wraps his code around. We get the best of both worlds - code that runs quickly in a small PIC but was developed quickly. MELabs distributes their compiler on a CD and updates are available from them or local distributors also on CD. They refuse to distribute their product or its updates in electronic format - I assume its a weak attempt to reduce piracy. I'm fairly lucky - the distributor closest to me is in Calgary (a 3 hour drive away) but the post-office is quick. Took just over 1 day from the time I phoned in the order for my last upgrade to when I actually received it. (Shocked the hell out of me, let me tell you!). You will also want to head over to www.mechanique.com and download the free version of his MicroCode Studio. This wraps a VERY nice editor and IDE around the PB or PBP compiler and is extremely easy to use. I recommend it highly. If you try it and like it, its probably worth spending the few dollars it costs to upgrade to MicroCode Studio Plus - it adds some extra features and rewards the person who took the time to write such a great tool. For what its worth, I purchased my copy of PBP from HVW Technologies in Calgary, AB, Canada and my copy of MicroCode Studio Plus from Reynolds Electronics . HVW wasn't handling MicroCode Studio when I needed it and Bruce at Reynolds Electronics is a nice guy, so I purchased it from him. dwayne -- Dwayne Reid Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax www.trinity-electronics.com Custom Electronics Design and Manufacturing -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist