microchip(.com)

Just had a look at the Microchip documentation. The "DV164121 - PICkit 2 Debug Express" includes an assembler (MPASM).

I also started with (a DEC LSI11 in machine code then) a Z80 using machine code, then assembler. I moved on to C (which isn't too scary, once you've seen a few examples and had a go yourself), and ended up (while using the Z80) by mixing C and assembler.

If the C compiler is anything like the one I had for the Z80, it will produce an assembly code listing - which you can study (to see how it all hangs together), or even edit & assemble (then link to other files/modules/procedures - call them whatever - in your project).

Most C compilers generate very efficient code, but if you want to really make a program fly, you can write some of the low-level stuff in assembler, discarding the bits of overhead that the compiler usually puts in.

I'd go for it.

John?

Do you think this Kit is a better choice than the other one?

As far as I could see it is a more powerful Kit but since I'd never done quite like this before I am not sure which is better for me?

I noticed that the starter kit uses smaller more basic MP but I am not sure if it can debug like the "Debug Express"!

Hi, Stephen,

It looks as if the Starter Kit has pretty much the same capabilities re. assembler & tutorial stuff. Looks like the Starter is a sub-set of the Debug one.

It really comes down to how deep your pocket is (if you're paying!). Sorry, I haven't looked at the prices, but I assume the debug version is more expensive.

If you can stretch to it, go for the debug one - as the name suggests, it's probably a more useful package for learning the ropes. As far as I know, the core architecture of all the PICs is more or less the same, with the bigger jobs having more I/O & clever on-board stuff - so it doesn't really matter which you go for as far as programming them.

The major difference seems to be whether you think you'll need to be able to try out a bit of circuitry hooked up to the PIC - the debugger will (I assume) let you step through a program while you flick switches/prod around with 'scope or meter or whatever. Again, it's a balancing act - how much can you splash out on it, and what return will you get?

It's probably worth phoning some of the UK contacts - a decent tech-type guy should give you some straight advice.

Let us know how you get on, & good luck,

John.

Hi John,

I Just did not wanna end up with something very basic and later regret it that I should have get a more powerful kit.

I think this is all wanted to hear. Just somebody confirming it to me.

They both cost the same £25.44 +£10.5Del +£5.0Hand + VAT= £48.1 and I placed my order for the Debug Express kit but minutes later I had changed my mind and they cancelled it for me.

But now I think I just go ahead with the Debug Express kit after all.

I sure will let you know how I get on with it & thanx.

Stephen.

If they cost the same, I'd definitely go for the debug job. 'Night, John.

The good folks at Microchip also provide a development system that will run under windows. If you are content to use the C compiler that doesn't have all of the exotic optimization features that is free too. The development environment which includes a simulation facility, the C compiler, and the assembler are all there waiting to be downloaded for free.

Assembler is not a standard language like C or FORTRAN. It is highly architecture dependent and based on the native instructions of the processor. An assembler program written for a Z80, and a program to do the same task on a PIC will be as different as night and day. Even assembler programs written for different members of the PIC family may be different because the more advanced PIC's have instructions like multiply and divide that might have to be simulated on the smaller processors. Just look at the facilities that the larger chips which have the clock feature built in. To program an alarm clock & calendar for one of the smaller chips would require a lot of code to emulate the hardware clock/calendar that is available in the later chips.

Good luck on your decision. I too am trying to figure out what I should do regarding a PIC development board and which point in the PIC processor line I should start with.

Having cut my programming teeth on IBM 360 assembler in the late 60's I don't think that I may be smart enough to program the smaller chips in assembler, having to perform multiple word add's and subtract's as well as simulting multiply and divide and converting from binary to ASCII kind of scares me. If I go ahead with it I will probably use the C language and let the comiler and library routines do all of the heavy lifting.

My fears not withstanding, I am extremely impressed with the amount of function that the MICROCHIP folks get into such small and inexpensive packages.

Hi everyone,

I too was in this position not to long ago. I did a TON of research and finally went with this...

http://www.mikroe.com/en/tools/easypic5/

The compiler is free to start out with and the board is definitely the bang for the buck.

Support has been REALLY incredible. The forums are filled with people so smart it will scare you.

Give it a look. I have developed three different products for my company in the last year using the MikroBasic (because that is what I know) and this board. The first one using the free version. I liked it so much I got the company to buy it AND I bought a copy and a board for home too.

If you have any questions feel free to let me know.

bill12780

Hi Bill?

I'm glad you responded to this topic.

I finally decided today to put my order for the "Debug Express" kit again.

I am a beginner but I really must get started somewhere.

If you think I could contact you in future should I get stuck with it I might if customer support won't be good enough to help me.

Check out the magazine Nuts and Volts. They have courses on several PIC over years, (you can buy back issues). On there web site they have a lot of documentation.

Motorola has lots of kits for their microprocessors. Check out their website.

If you want to have fun: http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=index

If you want to do something with your car: http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html