8-bit Bootloader from Microchip

[richard]

2a.- is my program (not the bootloader) going to be in HEX format or does it have to be generated in some other format?

you do nothing different other than put #define loader 1 [or whatever the syntax is ]

2b.- does it mean that once the bootloader sits inside the chip, I need a particular terminal software to upload the program into the chip or does any terminal software do the trick?

only if you want to use and keep the b-loader , if you use another programmer the b-loader will be erased

4.- what is then so "special" with this software (and all other particular bootloader software) if it is not generating or supplying the "bootloader code"? I thought it was providing THE bootloader code for some specific chip one would need.

the pc part of the bootloader prgm reads the hex file and parses in into blocks to be serially transferred into the chip , the already loaded pic component of the bootloader knows how to read the data and then write it into the pic codespace when the pc component is detected
bootloaders all do the same thing , none of them do it the same way

5.- I'm using the MCS editor with MPASM compiler. As far as I now, I can (I truly can't since I don't know assembler ) insert ASM code into my PICBasic programs. If this is correct, can I copy/paste à bootloader code in MCS editor an program my chip like I would do for any other program?

you only need the assembler to create the pic component , its a separate process only done once, the bootloader cares not who or what makes the hex file to be loaded

7.- would it possible to paste a bootloader code on the top of my program and flash it into the chip (like an image file for further mass programming purpose)?

totally unnecessary


http://tinypicbootload.sourceforge.net/
look at firmwares microchip pic16