PicBasic ListThere is now a PicBasic email list thanks to one of our distributors, Crownhill Associates (our server doesn't support lists). This list allows PicBasic and PicBasic Pro Compiler owners to compare notes and share programming tips with each other. To add your email address to the list:
Send a message to [email protected].
In the message body enter:
subscribe PICBASIC-L
This will then reply with a message to verify your email address and ask you to reply.
Once this is done you can send messages to [email protected].
PicBasic File AreaThere is now an area for PicBasic users to exchange files and programs (also provided by Crownhill Associates).
The files may be uploaded to the following FTP server. Please zip the files and send the zip file plus a text file explaining the contents of the ZIP file. Please state the compiler used: PBC or PBP. You can only upload to the incoming directory. The uploads must be PIC related. The files will NOT be checked for viruses. All uploaded files will be moved to the download area on a daily basis. File uploads can be any size, but please be sensible! You should inform the list members of your upload by placing a post to the list server.
PicBasic FTP Site:
Host: ftp.qunos.net Login name: anonymous Password: email address Path for upload: incoming/picbasic-l Path for download: ftp.qunos.net/pub/picbasic-l
EPIC programming software for Windows 95/98/NT version 2.1 is shipping
Along with the original DOS programming software, the EPIC Plus Programmer now includes Windows 95/98/NT version 2.1 programming software. This software includes support for the upcoming PIC16C773, 774, PIC16F873, 874, 876 and 877. It also adds a programming count window and last-used file list. It now saves its last state and device and the programming algorithms and timing have been improved. An upgrade is available for current EPIC owners.
Programming and Customizing the BASIC Stamp Computer
As the PicBasic and PicBasic Pro Compilers use the BASIC Stamp instruction set, the information and examples in this book can be very valuable.
PIC'n Techniques
This book is the third book in the "Easy PIC'n" series and provides even more PICmicro assembler examples and circuits.
The beta for the 16-bit core library for the PicBasic Pro Compiler is now available. It adds support for the PIC17C42A, 43, 44, 752, 756, 762 and 766. You must have PicBasic Pro version 2.12 and Microchip's MPASM assembler to use the beta. Please contact us for more information.
The hot PicBasic Pro Compiler is now even better! Version 2.1 adds new commands and optimizations.
SERIN2 and SEROUT2 add the BS2 serial commands to the compiler. These commands add flow control, parity, new baud rates and new data formatting to serial data transfers.
DEBUG is also now available. The DEBUG command adds yet another serial output method. DEBUG uses a fixed pin and baud rate to consume much less code space than SEROUT or SEROUT2. Most of the SEROUT2 formatting may be used with DEBUG.
HSERIN and HSEROUT are still another set of serial commands. These commands send and receive data from the hardware serial ports on PICmicros that support them.
LCDOUT also adopts the SEROUT2 data formatting.
FOR..NEXT has been changed to exit the loop if the data type has under or overflowed. This allows you to count backwards to 0, for example.
SWAP lets you quickly swap the data between 2 variables without using an intermediate variable.
You say you want XOUT? You got XOUT. How about XIN while we're at it? That's right, bidirectional X-10 communications built-in to the PicBasic Pro Compiler. (We're not just hanging around here!)
While we've been at it, we've been optimizing things. Most programs will now generate less code and maybe run even faster! We've also fixed over 3000 bugs! (Oh wait, that wasn't us.)
For owners of PicBasic Pro, our usual upgrade policy applies. There have been many changes to the manual so a new one is recommended.
And there's a special offer for previous purchaser's of the original PicBasic Compiler - only $199.95 plus shipping to move up to PicBasic Pro! So contact us or your favorite microEngineering Labs, Inc. distributor to get in on this great offer.
With the release of MPLAB 3.40.09 by Microchip Technology, it is now possible to use both the PicBasic Compiler and the PicBasic Pro Compiler within the IDE. This allows you to edit, compile, simulate and program files all under one Windows shell. You only need the latest version of MPLAB along with a few additional files. Our MPLAB page has the information you need.
The new PIC14C000 SOIC Adapter for the EPIC Programmer allows programming of the PIC14C000 in sufrace mount packages..
The new PICProto4 prototyping board is for Microchip's first 14-pin PICmicro, the PIC16C505. It also works with the 8-pin PICmicros if you want a larger board than the PICProto8.
The new PICProto S1 prototyping board has been specifically designed, in conjunction with Square 1, for working with the circuits in "Easy PIC'n" and "PIC'n Up the Pace".
