Re: Any recommendations for a good overview of pic and basic stamps

From: Dave Platt (dplatt_at_radagast.org)
Date: 08/23/04 

Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 19:36:19 -0000

In article <412A4471.3040001@alltel.net>,
Bill Velek <billvelek--NO-SPAM--@alltel.net> wrote:

>My impression is that these are simply chips that can be programmed
>(perhaps something like an EPROM?), but it is done with very simple
>basic-language programs that are fairly short with relatively few
>instructions, and that the programming is done on a computer and then
>loaded onto the chip via a cable linking the chip and a PC. Then the
>chip can be installed on a small circuit board of some sort (e.g., a
>thermostat), after which it is then able to run the basic-program
>completely independent of the PC.

That's basically what you get with a BASIC Stamp or the equivalent.

The underlying microcontroller - a PIC - is a small, inexpensive
processor which is programmable in its own assembly language / machine
code. PICs have somewhat of a RISC (reduced-instruction-set)
architecture, with relatively few different instruction types. Their
design is somewhat quirky, and programming them in assembler requires
some study of their quirks. Older models use OTP (one-time-
programmable) memory, or UV-eraseable EPROM, for code storage. Newer
variants use flash memory.

Newer PICs have enough memory and flexibility to be programmed in C or
FORTH - somewhat more friendly than assembler, although you still need
to understand the processor.

The BASIC Stamp and similar products use a PIC which has been
pre-programmed (permanently) to serve as an interpreter for a simple
variant of the BASIC language. The BASIC is compiled into binary form
(byte codes), and downloaded into the PIC's internal EEPROM or into an
external serial EEPROM. The PIC can then run the interpretive basic,
with no connection to the PC which did the programming. The programs
you can write are clearer and easier to understand than assembly or C
or FORTH (at least, that's the theory), but are rather limited in size
and complexity due to the overhead of the interpreter and the limited
size of the EEPROMs.

Can't suggest a specific site, I'm afraid, except to suggest that you
start at the manufacturers' sites. You can probably download a manual
for the BASIC Stamp or a compatible product. 

-- 
Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org>                                   AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
  I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
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