When multiplexing displays, are the transistors required? I am running 3 displays using a PIC16F88 with no transistors, will this destroy the chip? Each segment is pulling about 1mA. They are common anode with the anodes driven by PORTA, and the cathodes on PORTB.
As long as you have suitable current limiting resistors in place, then it's no problem - but it's usual to use a transistor to feed each display, and drive the segments directly - in order to give a higher drive current.
My LED matrix tutorial feeds 64 LED's directly off two ports and works fine, and is plenty bright enough.
well transistors are used for some purposes, like u need high current or external source to display ur displays, or if u have Common Anodes and ur program runs displays as common cathodes and u dont wana the change the program.
but u can run them without transistors as long as u have limiting resistors, these r needed even if u run with transistors.