mcd@is-sixsigma.com wrote: >>> Only if you consider three instructions to disable the analog inputs >>> "difficult". >>> >>> >> I agree, simple to port if you read the datasheet. >> > > Anything but simple. If all you have used is the 84, why would you even > suspect that you better read the section on the comparator if you aren't > going to use it? > > But we are talking about a newcomer. That knows nothing of any PIC. > > I write most of my code (for the 8 bit parts) in assembler, and write it > to be processor agile. Not hard if you plan a bit. But if you are using > an 84, the odds are real high you don't even know what to plan for. > > >> You learn lots porting. If you are simply going to build a >> "one off " 100% clone of existing design and learn nothing, >> then maybe use 16F84. >> > > You are right that porting can be a terribly valuable experience. In > fact, most painful things seem to be valuable experiences. > > And while I still believe that the 16F84 is a good PIC to learn on, > especially if you have no other microcontroller experience, I also think > that it is almost never the right part for the -next- project. > > Many, many hobbyists have a dread fear of moving beyond the 84. While I > see a lot of reasons you may want to use one, I don't fully grasp why so > many folks view another PIC as so terrifying. Many folks, even when they > get past the 84, still keep their menu pretty limited. > That's one reason it's a bad place to start. > And I find those particular menus rather surprising. The 628A seems to be > the next most popular, at least of 18 pin parts. OK, it adds more memory > and a serial port, but lots of hobbyists will add an external A/D rather > than moving to a part with an onboard A/D. The 716 has I think 4 A/D > ports, and it only costs a buck. OK, I exaggerate - $1.01 quantity one > from Newark in a DIP. For under $3 you can get an 88 which has gobs of > everything; memory, serial, I2C, A/D, adjustable oscillator. IMO, this is > the 18 pin part for the hobbyist, assuming you are only going to keep one > type of part in the drawer. Even the 648A offers double the memory for > another quarter. So why the 628? Mystifies me. > > --McD > > I'd recommend the 18F2550 or 18F4550 and JAL for beginner. Easy to add USB also, many laptops/PC.netbooks have no serial, just USB. I can't see the value of using something obsolete and limited. Maybe building an Audio Amp a Beginner should use an 6V6 valve (tube) rather than TDA2003 (or whatever current Audio Power amp is sensible) because it's robust, simple and all the parts can be mounted on a biscuit tin (cookie tin) and you only need one tag strip. I've not bought 16F628 or 16F877 for some while.I'd not recommend either for people starting now or new projects. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist