Customer Reviews

Programming the PIC Microcontroller with MBASIC (Embedded Technology)

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This is much more than just a fantastic replacement for the MBasic manual (although it's very good as that). I haven't seen any MBasic tutorials with this much depth anywhere.

It's an AMAZING resource, easily one of the best-written textbooks on any subject that I've seen in a long time. It's 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 chapters 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.

It covers everything from the stock MBasic commands, to how to use in-line and standalone assembler where needed, to the undocumented (except in the forums) commands hidden in the language. You even get a CD with a FREE version of MBasic Pro 5.3.0.0 called MBasic876 (It is limited to the 16F876 / '876a parts only, which is not a huge limit). Jack also explains the differences between 5.2.1.1 (the current full release) and 5.3.0.0, AND gives working code for both versions! He even documents all of the mistakes he - and others - have found in the 5.2.1.1 manual, saving much frustration when learning the language.

If you wanted to use this as a textbook, there are "Ideas for Changes to Programs and Circuits" at the end of each chapter, that would make good homework assignments.

The CD also contains all of the code examples from the book (in both 5.2.1.1 and 5.3.0.0 versions, with comments), Linear Technology Circuit Simulation Software\SWCADIII (LTSPICE) circuit simulation tools, and datasheets for all of the parts used in the book.

An extra bonus is the nearly page-long list of references at the end of each chapter, containing information about everything from good 8-bit microcomputer design guides, to where to find current datasheets for the parts used in the chapter, to great freeware resources for the PC.

So far, I have found answers to every question that's stumped me even after reading the Basic Micro forums.

I 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.

What Jack Smith has done in this book goes far beyond what the title indicates. It is an excellent tutorial, AND an excellent reference book AND a great project book.

Unlike many programming books, this one also demonstrates the author's engineering expertise by providing details of circuity including the hows and whys of interfacing to PICs, reasons for component parts and values selection, timing charts, 'scope pictures, etc. His choice of projects is excellent, and touches on virtually every application in which a PIC would likely be used.

He also provides a CD loaded with support documentation, source code for all the projects for both the current release and 5.3.0.0, which is due out shortly. He details the differences between the two versions, and provides lots of info on undocumented commands and errata in the MBasic manual. He also includes a free version of 5.3.0.0 which is limited only in the chip it will support, which is one of the best and most popular ones in use today.

As far as the "obsolete" comment made in an earlier review, all I can say is that MBasic has the best feature set of any Basic compiler for PICs that I have seen for the chips it supports, which includes all the most popular ones, incuding my favorites, the 16F876 and '877. The fact that Basic Micro obviously worked with the author to provide a pre-release version of the next release tells me there are no plans to obsolete the program.

I own MicroBasic Pro 5.2. Although the BasicMicro's manual is large and informative, it left out too many facets and explanations for features. In fact, knowledgeable users were constantly alluding to 'hidden' features and undocumented commands and/or extensions in the forums. New and intermediate users were operating at a disadvantage for this reason. This book easily fixes all those shortcomings. The contents cover both the present version, 5.2, and the newest yet-to-be-released version, 5.3, represented in the demo version on the CD.

Jack Smith has done a real service to everyone seeking a pathway to develop projects with one of the industry's most popular and best supported processors - the Microchip PIC. He has documented all the compiler's features, in a clear and concise fashion, that allows the user to realize all the power of this compiler. Every chapter clearly explains the hardware and software relevant to the chapter's subject, and provides numerous useful code examples to get the user started.
The chapter on using ISRASM, MB Pro's interrupt handler, and the chapter that collects together and summarizes all the previously unexplained commands and features, easily makes this book a 'must have'.

The demo compiler supports only the PIC16F876 and its -A version. At present users report that this program doesn't work with Win9x or ME machines, but is OK for Win2000 and XP. This is probably due to the 32 bit nature of the new software. This may change, so refer to their forums and home page for news about this. Basic Micro promises to upgrade from the present version to version 5.3, when released, for free.

After two years of experimenting with different BASIC compilers, I find MB Pro easily the best of the bunch. It has a mix of features and a command set that, for the money, easily makes it a real value. Check it out at basicmicro.com.
If you decide that MB Pro is the compiler for you, then make it a point to buy this book to achieve maximum return on your investment.

I've read and/or studied just about everything I could get me hands on regarding using Basic with my PIC's. This book is by far the best.

The author did a fantastic job! It's really a shame that MBasic is an OBSOLETE product that hasn't been updated in several years and does not include any new Pic processors that has been released in the last couple of years.