PIC programming

[Packhorse]

Slightly off topic but I want to program a PIC for a light project.

Can anyone suggest a FREE BASIC compiler?

 

[Packhorse]

2 weeks and no replys? [Sigh]

 

[Everett]

I'm afraid you may not be able to find a compiler to program low-level PICs in Basic. You will probably need to get up to speed in C and use the Hi-Tec C compiler that is free with MPLAB


...or you could do it all in assembly like the REAL nerds do ; )

 

[garilla]

I'm afraid you may not be able to find a compiler to program low-level PICs in Basic. You will probably need to get up to speed in C and use the Hi-Tec C compiler that is free with MPLAB


...or you could do it all in assembly like the REAL nerds do ; )

THe REAL nerds hahahaha now that is funny

 

[MWClint]

havent used either but you might want to check out picaxe or basic stamp

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/software.htm <software is free

 

[DIWdiver]

Ahem, REAL programmers use C.

There is a 'Lite' version of the Hi-Tech C compiler available free. It has no optimizations, so the code size is 2-3 times larger than the optimized version, but it still works. As long as you're not looking for blazing speed or gobs of program in a little chip, it's probably fine. I had some serious problems with early releases of version 9, making it unusable for the PIC12F part I was working with, but I imagine that's all cleaned up by now. By the way, Hi-Tech has been purchased by Microchip, so you will end up on www.microchip.com if you go looking for it.

I have some friends that love PicBasic Pro, though it's not free. I don't think there's a demo version available either.

There are some PIC chips available that have a basic interpreter built in ('value added' products, not direct from MicroChip). Here http://www.basicmicro.com/BasicATOM_c_46.html you will find both modules and chips for sale. I've never done anything with them. Also, Parallax have been around a long time with their Basic Stamp series, which I think are based on PIC processors. I don't believe they offer chip-level products though, just modules. There was somebody making chip-level competition for the Basic Stamp, but for the life of me I can't remember who.

But maybe this is the answer you've really been looking for:
These guys offer free basic compilers for PIC processors
- http://www.protonbasic.co.uk/
- www.sfcompiler.co.uk/swordfish/
- http://gcbasic.sourceforge.net/download.html

That last one is an open source compiler, which means it might be great for a hacker/hobbyist with interest in the field. That isn't a big advantage for someone who wants to git-er-done! but I suppose that depends on how active the community is around it. If I were trying to program MY light in basic (snort, chuckle), I'd start at the Swordfish site, assuming I couldn't pirate a copy of PicBasic Pro for personal use.

All kidding aside, the first programming language I ever learned was Basic, and while I've never tried programming a microprocessor in Basic, I did once build a test fixture using a module (Basic Tiger) programmed in Basic. By that time I had learned C, and I didn't find that basic was any easier. In many of the projects I get involved with, the real work seems to be in getting the processor to operate properly, and relate well to the environment it's embedded in, rather than in writing higher-level code. For that the advantage goes to C and assembeler. A dive light would certainly fit in this category (from personal experience).

 

[Throwjunkie]

Will send some info on pic programming when I get home I have done a good bit using a homemade programer can't remember the compiler I used but its on my home comp I build small RC transmitters and recievers also have all the info and schematic for the programer

 

[t2y]

I've used the Pascal version of this with good results. I've now learnt how to write in C and that's the way to go if you're considering do anything serious with a PIC.

http://www.mikroe.com/eng/products/view/9/mikrobasic-pro-for-pic/

 

[JimmyM]

...or you could do it all in assembly like the REAL nerds do ; )

REAL nerds use AVRs.