There are three ways to get a compiled program (hex file) into a Pic chip using a EPIC Progammer

1.)Plug the chip into the programmer board, this assumes that the chip is compatable with the board, i.e. Pin count and pin layout see MElabs website for information.

2.)Using an adapter which is intended to plug into the 10 pin header on the EPIC board, these adapters are sold by Melabs for use with chips which are either not physically able to plug into the socket on the EPIC board or the chip has a pin layout that is different than the PIC16F84(A)

3.) The 10 pin “ICSP” In Circuit Serial Programming header, the header carries the same signals that the 18 pin on board socket uses, 5V+, Vpp (goes to MCLR), PGD (Programming data goes to RB7, Pin 13 on PIC16F84(A) ), PGC (Programming Clock goes to RB6, Pin 12 on PIC16F84(A)) and GND.
See http://www.melabs.com/support/icsp.htm

This type of Programming DOES NOT require the use of bootloader or the use of DEFINE Loader_used 1

Bootloading is a different animal, in short it is composed of two pieces of software one which goes on a PC and allows you to program a PIC using only a SERIAL connection between the PC and the PIC. The second piece of software gets programmed into the PIC and thereafter allows the PIC to be programmed thru the PIC’s USART. Not ALL PICs have the required built in hardware to be compatable with a Bootloader. Only programs which are being loaded, burned, programmed into a PIC by way of a bootloader would require DEFINE Loader_used 1