Programming and Customizing the Basic Stamp Computer (Tab Microcontrollers S) [Paperback]

Scott Edwards (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0079136842 | ISBN-13: 978-0079136848 | Publication Date: March 1998 | Edition: Bk&CD-Rom

Based on the authors popular monthly column in Nuts & Volts magazine, this is the first complete English-language guide to BASIC Stamp -- the easy-to-use, single-board computer that runs a PIC microcontroller. It walks hobbyists through 12 complete projects, from traffic light simulators to robot runabouts, that illustrate how to program Stamp applications on DOS or Windows PCs. True novices will find plenty of background material, such as how to read schematics and identify components.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essential for Stamp Users Extremely clear and well written. Fills in areas where the Stamp manuals are weak. The included CD is as useful as the book. The CD includes Stamp 1 & 2 programming software, the Basic program code for the original Stamp manuals, and the excellent series on Stamps that Scott wrote for Nuts & Volts Magazine; ***** This book got me hooked on Microcontrollers Great book for smart people, who don't have knowledge of Microcontrollers or electronics but want to. The projects are great and so are the examples --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Build smart electronics projects with the inexpensive, simple-to-use, surprisingly powerful basic stamp. If you want to take advantage of the Popular PIC Microcontroller for your electronics projects, but are intimidated by the programming involved, your worries are over. This guide gives you a comprehensive tutorial on the easy-to-use BASIC Stamp single-board computer which runs a PIC Microcontroller, and doesn't require you to do any assembly language programming. Written by the original author of the widely read "Stamp Applications" column for Nuts & Bolts magazine, Programming and Customizing the BASIC Stamp Computer offers you: a primer on basic electronics--including reading schematics, identifying components, and constructing prototypes; thorough yet accessible coverage of both BASIC Stamp I and II--from reading and understanding BASIC programs, to PBASIC toolboxes, to detailed applications; BASIC Stamp Quick Reference Guide; 12 complete projects that demonstrate various BASIC Stamp applications and allow you to put your new knowledge to work; an accompanying CD that provides all the software tools you need to begin developing PIC applications on your own. With the range of skills you'll develop using this guide, you'll see why it can be easier to build sophisticated projects with microcontrollers than with conventional electronic parts--and even more fun!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill; Bk&CD-Rom edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0079136842
• ISBN-13: 978-0079136848
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Microprocessor Design
  • #93 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > PCs

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real 'get me started' manual, May 21, 2001

By 

Kevin Jackson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming and Customizing the Basic Stamp (Paperback)

Does the thought of programming your own micro computer device get you into a cold sweat? Did me, until Scott Edwards publish this book.

Using this book I was able, in four hours, program the Basic Stamp II to do most of the simple things I wanted. Now, I have had some electronics experience but not at programming PIC based devices but I found it very easy with this book.Its simply set out and starts at a level that will allow even the most raw beginner to get a foot hold in programming these devices. This is a very good guide to getting you started and soon writing your own programs. It may look a bit on the expensive side but it was worth every one of my Amazon discounted pennys!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to the Stamp, July 15, 1998

By 

Myke Predko - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming and Customizing the Basic Stamp Computer (Tab Microcontrollers S) (Paperback)

Scott Edward's book is targetted for the beginner that wants to get into electronics and has heard that the Stamp is a pretty neat thing. The book starts out with an introduction to the Stamp and Electronics in general. Included is a pretty good primer on prototyping circuits.

From this, the user is give more detail on the Stamp (including how to build programmer cables) followed by "Boot Camp": an introduction to programming the Stamp and basic I/O. Scott spends equal time on the BS1 and BS2 and notes differences between the two.

My only disappointment with the book is while he introduces the more advanced I/O functions ("DEBUG", "SERIN", "SEROUT" and "BUTTON") in the example projects and appendices, he doesn't explicity explain them or give hints based on his experience.

The majority of the book is dedicated to the twelve projects presented in the book and this is where the reader will learn the most abo! ! ut the Stamp. The projects focus on interfacing to other devices and this is where the book really shines. LCD (not surprisingly), RS-232 Serial, Keypad, Servo, temperature probe and an Ultrasonic (!) interfaces caught my eye.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Stamp Users, April 28, 2000

By 

Raymond J McArthur - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming and Customizing the Basic Stamp Computer (Tab Microcontrollers S) (Paperback)

Extremely clear and well written. Fills in areas where the Stamp manuals are weak. The included CD is as useful as the book. The CD includes Stamp 1 & 2 programming software, the Basic program code for the original Stamp manuals, and the excellent series on Stamps that Scott wrote for Nuts & Volts Magazine.