>> Is it?  More instructions don't necessarily make the cpu more complex.
>=20
> Not more complex to use, but certainly more complex to explain

Wouter,

respectfully I'd have to disagree. Yes, there is more explaining to do,
but the benefits down the line more than compensate

For example you mention inc/dec pointers

Consider copying  a block of data from one part of RAM to another

Compare 16F code, with its fragmented memory and single simple FSR,
with 18F code, which has 3 FSRs and table R/W commands available

movff postinc0,postinc1

Piece o'cake and quick, both to explain and execute. Add sorting and
value detection to the requirement and the 16 looks less and less the
tool for the job

Not that I'm suggesting in any way that there's anything wrong with the
16 or how you've decided to structure your course, but there are tasks
which are better and more logically written on a micro which has the
resources to do them simply and efficiently

I do agree, somewhat, with

'once you can handle the 12/14 bit core PICs anything else they ask
you to progran will look easy in comparison'

However, a 16 vs 18 comparison is not 'apples with apples'

Joe
--=20
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