There are so many ways to get started with PICBASIC PRO thta a newbie can get confused. Starting with MPLAB is a little advanced but not impossible. microEngineering Labs has updated their site to show how to use PICBASIC PRO with the latest MPLAB. Microchip changed the way MPLAB works which added confusion and required a modification to PICBASIC PRO operation.
Their website now has the new directions.

Starting with MCStudio and a microEngineering Labs programmer is probably the easiest since most of it is setup for you when you install the software. I really like the features that PICkit 2 programmer offers but a microEngineering Labs USB programmer is a great way to start.

Chuck Hellebuyck