On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 06:48:23AM -0700, jim@jpes.com wrote: >=20 > IMHO, all of these questions are valid except for the one asking about > why he is using such an old micro. First, it has nothing to do with the > request. Second, if you write a program for the F84, you can port it to > other micros in the PIC family with little to no changes. And third, > who care? What possible difference could it make why he is using that > particular part. He didn't ask if he was using the right part or if it > was a current part, He was asking for help with programming a counter. > Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to start a flame war. > I'm just pointing out that a question was asked inquiring about a fact > that has nothing to do with the request the OP made. Jim, You have good points. But I do still think the question needs to be asked. = There are millions of pages of Microchip PIC discussions/projects that use the 16F84[A]. With a preponderance of them, newbies (and the OP stated that) are not really aware that they are for the most part obsolete. So by asking the question, it often gives an inrad to explaining that there are much more capable and frankly cheaper parts. A while ago I wrote some pages on the subject: http://www.finitesite.com/d3jsys/16F88.html I probably should do an update. The 16F enhanced parts are so much better. I would push the 16F1847 (18 pin), 16F1829 (20 pin), and 16F1938 (28 pins) as suitable replacements with the 12F1840 (8 pin) as the replacement for the 12F508/509/629/675 series. The debate has gone back and forth as to whether or not the added complexity of the new parts (i.e. hardware support, banking, paging) are useful to novices. The problem I see is that newbies quickly fall in love with what they learn first. The 16F84 and its extremely limited hardware resources forces novices to code everything (USART, I2C, PWM, ADC, multiple timers, etc.) in software, which is in fact much more convoluted than the basic practice of setting up a hardware peripheral and letting it do the heavy lifting. I always see the question as informative. If a novice actually knows what's going on, then it's no harm, no foul. However, if it's possible to get a novice tracked to a much better, and cheaper platform, then the question is in fact a net win. So personally I don't see a downside to it. BAJ >=20 >=20 > Regards, >=20 > Jim >=20 > > -------- Original Message -------- > > Subject: Re: [PIC] counters > > From: IVP > > Date: Wed, April 25, 2012 5:48 am > > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." > >=20 > >=20 > > > Hello guys i was asking for a help, am new in microconcrollers so > > > i was asing help in writing a program that will count from 0-30 am > > > using P16F84a plz guys.... > >=20 > > More information from you will get you a better answer > >=20 > > For example - > >=20 > > What is causing the micro to count ? > >=20 > > What happens when you get to 30 ? > >=20 > > Why are you using such a very old micro as the 16F84 ? > >=20 > > What language are you using ? > >=20 > > Joe > >=20 > > --=20 > > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > > View/change your membership options at > > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >=20 >=20 > --=20 > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 Byron A. Jeff Department Chair: IT/CS/CNET College of Information and Mathematical Sciences Clayton State University http://cims.clayton.edu/bjeff --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .