[...]... PIC microcontroller programmer (although the design for the PIC microcontroller programmer is discussed in the body of the book) The decision not to include these features was quite easy when I looked at the current situation and what is being offered with this book The primary purpose of the CD-ROM included in the previous editions of the book was to provide the source code for the experiments and. .. studying and working through these different application types you will gain a strong insight into the operation of the PIC microcontroller and help to understand how you can develop your applications using the different part numbers available to you PIC Microcontroller Resources and Tools Unlike the previous edition there is no CD-ROM included with this book and there is no PCB for the user to build their... for INTRODUCTION xv the development tools and the datasheets When I look at the internet and what it offers, I feel like the CD-ROM is redundant and does not allow you to get the latest versions of the code (I find I end up going back and improving the code) and it is a nightmare for keeping track of the latest versions of the development tools and datasheets Microchip, much more than the average chip... to the left “#” bits >> # Shift value to the left “#” bits Along with defining Units there are a few terms and expressions I should define here to make sure you are clear on what I am saying in the text These terms are often used in electronics and programming, although my use of them is specific to microcontrollers and the PIC microcontroller Application Source Code Software The hardware circuit and programming. .. unbelievably arduous task and it never would have been possible without your love and support Let’s go and enjoy our new home Myke Predko Toronto, Canada August 2007 This page intentionally left blank PROGRAMMING AND CUSTOMIZING THE PIC® MICROCONTROLLER This page intentionally left blank 1 EMBEDDED MICROCONTROLLERS The primary role of the Microchip PIC® and other embedded microcontrollers is to provide... microcontroller devices and features are presented The eight and fourteen pin PIC microcontrollers along with the latest EEPROM/Flash and PIC18 microcontroller parts and their features have been added to this book I realize that between the time when this was written and when the book comes to print even more parts will be added Please consult the Microchip web site for the latest list of available PIC microcontroller. .. been provided The “Conventions Used in This Book” section of the introduction has been expanded to include all mathematical operators and symbols used in the text and formulas The example experiments, projects, and tools have been enhanced The experiments, projects, and tools have been relabeled to avoid confusion regarding the order in which information is presented In the original edition, the applications... further than most other part suppliers and made available the full featured MPLAB integrated development environment which is designed to support and automate every step of the application development process The unimaginable work that the more than 250 PIC microcontroller part numbers as well as the support tools and documentation produced by Microchip is the reason why developers turn to the PIC microcontroller. .. connectivity with other devices Somebody may point out that the Parallax Stamp products use the low-end PIC microcontrollers, but at the time the products were designed, these were the cheapest chips available; today the mid-range and PIC18 devices provide much more capabilities at a lower price point than the low-end did when the Stamp was first conceived The mid-range (14 bit instruction size) PIC microcontrollers... would discover that they are based almost entirely on embedded microcontrollers Embedded microcontrollers have become the new standard for these applications When you look at some of the more powerful microcontrollers, you might be confused as to the difference between them and microprocessors There are a number of chips that are called “microcontrollers” (with typically 32-bit data and address paths) . electronics and programming, although my use of them is specific to microcon- trollers and the PIC microcontroller. Application The hardware circuit and programming. released. These parts make it easier to learn about the PIC microcontroller, allowing you to leave them in circuit and not have to pull them out to erase them and