Jon Wilder
Active Member
We all have our favorite uC for whatever reason. It also seems that there are more people using PIC microcontrollers over any other uC out there from what I've been reading online (I know I know...consider the source lol). So I figured I'd start this thread for those who love PIC microcontrollers to get an idea as to the different reasons from different people that made them favor the PIC over any other uC.
For me, the PIC not only was an easy place to start, but there seems to be an endless supply of information on them all over the internet from 3rd parties, not to mention the plethora of information available directly from Microchip. Along with all of the support tools like the PICkit 2 & 3, the development boards, etc etc. I do have to say Microchip gives superb support on not only their PICs, but their serial EEPROMs and the plethora of other products they make as well. Their data sheets are also very thorough and well laid out. On top of all this...they're very reasonably priced.
Also, while I started on the PIC16F628A, I've found that the same base instruction set of the 16F628A applies to the entire 16F series! If you want to advance to the 18F series, all you have to learn are the "additional instructions" that apply to the 18F series, while the entire 16F series instruction set can be used in addition to those. Plus the support software is 100% free as well.
I have found though that some of Microchip's documentation is a bit out of date. The latest version PICmicro Mid-Range MCU Reference Manual available from Microchip is one from 1997, and I'm sure there have been a plethora of changes over the last 14 years to the mid-range line of PICs. Matter of fact I know there have because I've read segments of things in certain sections of it thinking to myself "OK...I know that doesn't apply anymore".
Although some "old school" programmers thumb their nose at the RISC architechture thinking that being a RISC processor somehow limits its ability to perform certain tasks, there's honestly nothing I can think of that a PIC cannot do that other uC's can. Sure, it does have a reduced instruction set and it is a bit different from the instruction sets of other uC's. However, they can do everything other uC's can do...but from what I have found you just code them very differently.
Let's hear from others on their reasons why they love the PIC uC so much!
For me, the PIC not only was an easy place to start, but there seems to be an endless supply of information on them all over the internet from 3rd parties, not to mention the plethora of information available directly from Microchip. Along with all of the support tools like the PICkit 2 & 3, the development boards, etc etc. I do have to say Microchip gives superb support on not only their PICs, but their serial EEPROMs and the plethora of other products they make as well. Their data sheets are also very thorough and well laid out. On top of all this...they're very reasonably priced.
Also, while I started on the PIC16F628A, I've found that the same base instruction set of the 16F628A applies to the entire 16F series! If you want to advance to the 18F series, all you have to learn are the "additional instructions" that apply to the 18F series, while the entire 16F series instruction set can be used in addition to those. Plus the support software is 100% free as well.
I have found though that some of Microchip's documentation is a bit out of date. The latest version PICmicro Mid-Range MCU Reference Manual available from Microchip is one from 1997, and I'm sure there have been a plethora of changes over the last 14 years to the mid-range line of PICs. Matter of fact I know there have because I've read segments of things in certain sections of it thinking to myself "OK...I know that doesn't apply anymore".
Although some "old school" programmers thumb their nose at the RISC architechture thinking that being a RISC processor somehow limits its ability to perform certain tasks, there's honestly nothing I can think of that a PIC cannot do that other uC's can. Sure, it does have a reduced instruction set and it is a bit different from the instruction sets of other uC's. However, they can do everything other uC's can do...but from what I have found you just code them very differently.
Let's hear from others on their reasons why they love the PIC uC so much!
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