Well, it depends on what your goal is. If all you want to do is turn an output on when an input goes high you can get away with the demo but I guess you're ultimately looking to do more (way more) than that.

If you are taking this seriously then by all means buy PBP, it's worth every penny. There are other compilers, both BASIC and other languages (C, PASCAL etc) available but since this forum is aimed at the products from Melabs (PBC and PBP) specifically that is what we like to use and discuss "around here".

As you know, it IS associated with a learning curve though so you SHOULD start small, just like with the example you posted. Blink a LED, blink two LEDs, get a LCD up an running etc etc - small steps. Trying to bite off too much at one time will only get you frustrated.

Good luck!
/Henrik.