Code Protection

[skimask]

How do I protect my code from someone reading the device? I am using a PIC16F876A. I want to ensure someone cannot remove the chip to read it. Does doing this impair the ability for microcode studio to program the device?

Thanks,

Joe.

Code protection is all in the datasheets.

And no it won't impair Microcode Studio's ability to do anything, 'cause Microcode Studio isn't a PIC programmer. However, no matter what programmer you've got, code protection only affects readback from the PIC. If you try to program over a code protected PIC, generally, the programmer will have to do a complete erasure, thereby erasing any code that was there in the first place.