16f687 - Where is the data stored?

[andywpg]

Storing spaces is extremely inefficient. Create a routine that pads the message with the appropriate number of leading/trailing spaces before sending it out to the LCD.

I suppose I could store each message without spaces, then write a unique "stop character".

Then I could just count the characters to the stop character, then calculate the number of spaces needed to pad it to the center of a 16 character line.

The only thing is accessing the right message. I intended to send the message number as part of the data block. I was going to calculate the start address of the message from the message number, and retrieve 16 characters. I guess I could just send the start address as the message number, then retrieve characters until I encounter the stop character. That would work, and is WAY more efficient (in both memory space and processor cycles).

Thanks!