Improve PBP with integrated configuration

[cncmachineguy]

After 10+ years of PIC's the hard way (coding in ASM) with no money to buy any real tools, I got turned onto PBP. Even though I am very used to the datasheet's provided by microchip, I still had a learning curve for PBP. Do I think it should be written differently? NO, NOT AT ALL!!! As soon as you take the time to learn something about these fun little gems, you will appreacite the versatility provided by PBP.

The sim Dave is talking about is Proteus VSM. Its an awesome tool for testing code and some hardware. hardware not being its strong point. Before having this I used ICD from microchip, and microchip sim in MPLAB. All great tools. But you still need some understanding of whats going on. There are plenty here who are glad to help and very knowledgeable. They all help anyone who asks for any help. Not all know everything but all seem to know something and I have yet to see a problem un resolved or a newbie ever ridiculed. This is one of the most comfortable forums I have ever been on.

Having said that, let me please also point out this: I realize this is a wish list catagory. As such, you can wish for PBP to be anything you want it to be. but wishing for it to be something else and bashing it are 2 different things. If you want help here, try not going after what the rest of us believe in. We like PBP. are there some things that could be different? maybe. If you are so well adapt with C++ why not use one of the many C-style compiliers.

As for feeling like you should be able to use the PIC's without understanding them, thats just silly. Here is my take on this: I drive a car. Do I need to know how it works-NO. but if I want it to go faster, get better MPG, or do anything else the manufacture didn't build in, I will have to learn how it works. So the analogy is this: use the stamp, want more speed use the BS2 I think its faster. want to get under the hood because its not fast enough for you? LEARN how it works. MANY MANY MANY others before you have learned with the material and support available to you. MANY more will learn after you.

And BTW, maybe I like the datasheet because 20 some years ago we were taught in college how to read datasheets. back then you were proud to own the big yellow TI data book explaining all you never wanted to know about 7400 series devices. If you think the datasheet should read like a book, it wouldn't be a datasheet of 300 pages, it would be a trilogy of 600 page novels.

[Kirk Fraser]

It would be nice if PBP did everything it could including setting up each chip function (such as PWM or A/D or simply flashing LEDs) when called. That change is not too big to suggest or ask for.

I started programming MPU's back when Parallax only had the BS1. Now I only use the BS2px24 and it works but too slow. I started building an Altair 8800 soon after first advertized on the cover of Popular Electronics Jan 75 and it arrived. I had no soldering errors with the original kit and programmed by front panel switches. I graduated in Computer and Information Science in 1982, less than a year after they moved the compiler class up from a senior level to a graduate level class so I missed it but got notes from someone who went on to graduate school. I do not yet know C++ but so much stuff is written in it I'll learn it. I've already invested in PBP at the recommendation of the teacher who helped me move up from the Stamp to the PIC.

I've been spoken of by a guy who learned to read late in life as someone who could take a paper, convert it into a paragraph and not lose anything. So I know the data ream can be condensed.

Most importantly, I've become what is likely the world's expert on the difference between traditional churches and the true church which came down from heaven in Jesus' blood. I hope to start it soon. But most adults seem too old to change.

[mtripoli]

Most importantly, I've become what is likely the world's expert on the difference between traditional churches and the true church which came down from heaven in Jesus' blood. I hope to start it soon. But most adults seem too old to change.

Best way I've seen in a looonnnnggggg time on how to kill a thread! Keep up the good work! Good work, get it? ROFL