New to PBP

I'm just getting into programming microcontrollers using either PIC Basic or PIC Basic Pro and I have a few newbie questions:

(1) Does anyone know of a Canadian supplier of the compilers and/or MEL EPIC programmer (the serial one)? If not, is there a US-based online supplier that is recommended? Ideally, I'd like to get a bundle of the compiler and programmer.

(2) PIC Basic Pro looks more code-friendly to me as I've programmed in VB before. Is the price of the compiler justified for beginners? Does anyone know if PIC Basic will be phased out in terms of supporting new PICs?

I've purchased John Iovine's latest book on programmin with PIC Basic, but it hasn't arrived yet. If there are any tips/tricks/help you can offer to a newbie I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Ross

Melabs has a distributors page...

http://www.melabs.com/purchase.htm#Distributors

If none of those suit you, why not buy from MeLabs themselves?

http://www.melabs.com

Download the manuals for both the Basic and the Pro from here...

http://www.melabs.com/resources/index.htm

decide for yourself whether the additional features will save you time and effort in whatever you are planning to do. If you are planning your purchase in a professional capacity to earn you money, then this is a 'no-contest' answer.

You can compare the PBC and PBP product and the PICs they support on these pages...

http://www.melabs.com/products/pbc.htm
http://www.melabs.com/products/pbp.htm

again, you know best what you are going to use the compiler for... an email to MeLabs will reveal if they are planning to drop future PIC support, but based on past performance it's unlikely and the product will continue as a low-cost starter package.

The MeLabs website also has bundle deals... find them here...

http://www.melabs.com/products/bundles.htm

The intro chapter in the MeLabs manuals contains an example to get you started. Other tips & tricks aren't nescessary to get that LED blinking... it'll work! Geeze... six links to the MeLabs website... am I trying to drop a hint or what?

Melanie

RossW,
If you can afford it then go for PBP.
I first purchased PBC and quickly learned that there
was many features that was included in PBP that I
wanted to use <made those features easier>
So I had to upgrade to PBP after only having PBC a very short time.
Good Luck
Gary Watts
< Non-Professional>