I will throw my 2 cents in here, first off I agree with Mr E. 100%. I would add this: A JDM programmer can be had on ebay for about 10 bucks US, PBP Demo is free but won't do elaborate program, but will do simple programs, use small cheap pics and use several and use alegro stepper controller chips. You might get someone else to compile your code in the beginning and then load the hex. I stayed away from microcontrollers because of Basic stamps high price ! FOR many years ! There are some cheap / free C compilers. The compiler is your largest expense. Serial LCD would eliminate the need for big LCD routines like LCDOUT (free demo won't do)
Upscale in price from JDM is the PICKIT2 It's great, but like 50 bucks. Low level 12F pics are really cheap and many have good features, but few I/O pins. Easiest PIC to start with is 16F84. Few features, several I/O s no analog features to confuse you, Pin compatable with 16F628A/648A so code will transport up. Request samples from
Microchip, Allegro, Maxim just do not get greedy with them.