Programming the PIC Microcontroller with Mbasic - (Embedded Technology) by Jack Smith (Mixed Media Product)

Book Synopsis

The Microchip PIC family of microcontrollers is the most popular series of microcontrollers in the world. However, no microcontroller is of any use without software to make it perform useful functions. This comprehensive reference focuses on designing with Microchip's mid-range PIC line using MBASIC, a powerful but easy to learn programming language. It illustrates MBASIC's abilities through a series of design examples, beginning with simple PIC-based projects and proceeding through more advanced designs. Unlike other references however, it also covers essential hardware and software design fundamentals of the PIC microcontroller series, including programming in assembly language when needed to supplement the capabilities of MBASIC. Details of hardware/software interfacing to the PIC are also provided.BENEFIT TO THE READER: This book provides one of the most thorough introductions available to the world's most popular microcontroller, with numerous hardware and software working design examples which engineers, students and hobbyists can directly apply to their design work and studies. Using MBASIC, it is possible to develop working programs for the PIC in a much shorter time frame than when using assembly language.

Review Quotes

"I've been so impressed with this book in the week I've been reading it, that I have to think the only reason it's not made it to these forums yet is because no one has found it yet. If you've been waiting, as I have, for a rewrite of the MBasic manual, then you should buy this book. This is much more than just a manual (although it's very good as that), and I haven't seen any MBasic tutorials with this much depth anywhere. It's an AMAZING volume of work, easily one of the best textbooks on any subject that I've seen in a long time. Laid out in a tutorial format, with each chapter building on the ideas in the previous pages, the book is also easy to use to find specific techniques as you would with a reference book, either with the index, or with the thorough way Jack cross-references related subjects within each chapter. Jack introduces one or two major concepts in each chapter, such as working with digital outputs, I2C, stepper motors, or HSerial, and then shows how to design the electronics parts of the concept as well, and gives solid reasoning for how he's making design choices along the way. He has a deep understanding of both computer theory and electronics design, but presents both of them in a friendly, non-jargon-y way that I think many experience levels could understand. My biggest question now is, it's obvious that Jack got some fantastic help on the project from Basic Micro themselves - so why aren't they selling the book right from this site? Or at least announcing its availability? So far, I have found answers to every question that's stumped me even after reading these forumsI hope some others can enjoy this as much as I have. It's made me excited again about how much MBasic allows you to do with a PIC." --Brian, Basic Micro Forum"I got home late tonight. I wish I'd gotten home a lot sooner because THE book is here!! And it's a beaut, too. All I can say is...Some day I hope to know as much about PICs as Jack forgets every day....This meets my definitions of "complete" and "comprehensive"!" --kenjj, Basic Micro Forum"This very useful book allows even someone new to PICs to be able to choose the proper device, program and design the circuit for simple to sophisticated designs. This is a great book for quickly learning about and using microcontrollers to do amazing tasks." --IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, Dec. 2005