Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Reply
Why do you supply your own PIC assembler with the P928 PIC training system? I have been told that the Microchip assembler is very good.	The Brunning Software PIC assembler BSPA is easier for beginners to use and its simulator is specifically designed to help beginners understand the internal operation of the main PIC registers. But we do recognise that the official Microchip assembler MPASM is more comprehensive and essential for some of the most complex PIC programmes. If you are a beginner studying for your own interest you will probably find the Brunning Software assembler better for your purpose (P928-B course). If you are a beginner studying to become a professional programmer or electronics engineer you will probably find it best to start from the beginning using MPASM (P928-M course). The only difference between the P928-B course and the P928-M course is the first book so you can change over from one course to the other for the cost of one book.
In your PIC course you first teach PIC assembler and then C. I have looked through a C course in the EPE magazine and it seems rather difficult?	It is very important to start with an understanding of PIC assembly language. Then when you have some experience of PIC programming you can learn to programme using the C programming language. Yes, the article in EPE does make C seem very complicated. Their intention was to show the power of C to encourage its use, but it is not a good way to begin by explaining the grammar of the language. We use a totally different approach. We understand that it is most important to capture the interest of the reader. We begin by writing some simple programmes still knowing very little about the C language. Once the programmes are running a little explanation is all that is needed. Just as a child learns to speak and picks up the grammar without having grammar lessons.
Can I connect your PIC programmer to a USB port on my computer?	Yes, our PIC programmer can be connected to the usual COM1 or COM2 serial ports or through a USB adaptor to a USB port. The -U version of our P928 PIC training course is supplied with a USB adaptor.
Why do you call your PIC programmer a production programmer?	The Brunning Software PIC programmer writes the code into the PIC with a standard 5 volt supply connected to the PIC. It then verifies the PIC with a low supply voltage and verifies again with a high supply voltage. This ensures that the PIC will function correctly over its full operating voltage and is not poised on the edge of failure. Microchip designate programmers which can verify over the full operating voltages as being production quality programmers.
Will the 18F range of PICs eventually replace the 16F PICs?	16F PICs will continue for a very long time to be the best choice for simple low cost projects. For simple projects needing just a few inputs and outputs the 18 pin PIC16F627A is without doubt the right choice. For simple projects needing a 28 pin PIC (or bigger) there is little difference in difficulty using a 16F or 18F PIC. For complex projects 18F PICs are easier to use. The Brunning Software PIC training course starts with the PIC16F627A, then introduces the PIC16F88, the PIC16F870 and finally the PIC18F2321. The idea being to give actual practical experience of the reasons for using these different PICs.