Thanks eric. I am going to use parallel port. (since it requires less Ics and circuitry than the serial port)
Yes the software covers 16f877A. I think I can safely replace the 100n Caps with higher values.
How did you generate 13V+ source? I am thinking of using 12V battery in series with 1.5 volts. OR, just a fully charged 12-V Lead-Acid battery (which I posses) is enough as it is around 12.8 Volts?
(I amazed to see some people continually suggest me to use Pickits (which requires a preaccess to another programmer), despite my repeated desire to avoid them)