>>Is this the main compiler you recommend using?

Well, it was the first available compiler. And as such it probably has the largest user base, and it folows that you would get the best third party support. (things like this forum)

Recently I've heard good things about Proton+, but I've not used it myself.

I don't consider myself well experianced in everything that's available, I know what I have and I like it.

Be aware though, PBP is just a DOS command line program. MEL supplies an editor (actualy they call it an IDE) called Code Designer Lite (IIRC)

My preference is micoCode Studio from Mechanique. It's about $45, but it's worth it for me. For you though... Two of the main features is a built in bootloader and a serial ICD (in circuit debugger) the 12F parts can't self program, so a bootloader is out of the question. And the serial ICD requires a hardware UART, the 12F doesn't have one. With those limitations it's hard to justify the money, if all you're programming is 12F parts.

I'm wondering, why the 12F675. Usualy the entry point into PICs is the 18 pin 16F84 (which is now supersceded by three generations, pin compatible though) or the much larger (40-pin) 16F877. (better in my book because of the bootloader capabilities) Many are now reccomending begginers start with the 18F series.

If you do decide to buy PBP, talk to Randy Jones at www.glitchbuster.com. I bought mine from him, and in the end I got a better deal than I've seen published *anywhere*.

Have you read the PBP manual? I'm not sure what you want ot do with PICs, but there are some limitations on what can be done in PBP on the 12F series chips, not sure if it would affect you though.


Hmmm... re-reading your post, you mentioned ProBasic. Just to complicate our lifes, several compiler makers have very similar sounding names. Specificaly I use the one from here: http://www.melabs.com/products/pbp.htm
You can read the documentation and examples on line, they even have a limited demo version you can download. (limited to 31 BASIC instructions, that's pleanty to see the kind of things it can do.)

-Denny