Byron Jeff wrote:
> I find them infinitely less annoying than the management of ICSP
> interface that is required when using a traditional programmer.

I'm not sure what "management" you are referring to.  Like a bootloader, a
programmer has to connect to the target PIC somehow.  ICSP uses two data
lines, clock and data (PGC and PGD), and MCLR.  But that's only during
programming.  These lines all function normally when the PIC is running.

You do have to consider the connection to the rest of the circuit when thes=
e
lines are driven during programming, but in my experience that is easily
solved.  On larger PICs it's easy just to leave the lines unused and
dedicate them to ICSP.  Some PICs even have dedicated ICSP lines, so it
becomes completely free because there is nothing else those pins could be
doing.  On smaller PICs where you really need every pin, there is always a
function or two that can tolerate a resistor between the PIC and the
external (to the PIC) function.

I do this for a living and have probably seen over 100 PIC projects.  I can
tell you that dealing with the dual use of the ICSP lines just isn't a
problem in most cases.  About the only time I had to make compromises was
with the 10F PICs.  They only have 3 I/O lines and one input or MCLR line.
3 of these 4 pins participate in ICSP, so you do have to think about it.
However, a bootloader isn't a solution because these little PICs can't writ=
e
to their own program memory.  I don't remember having any serious ICSP
conflict issue on any PIC that was big enough that could have supported a
bootloader.

As Dave also said, I agree bootloaders have their place.  I've used them a
bunch of times, usually when the firmware needed to be field upgradable.
Bootloaders just don't make any sense to me for regular development.


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