Looking for a PIC Kits with Lesson book

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lindula
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Looking for a PIC Kits with Lesson book

Post by lindula »

Hello, I am looking for a trainer kit that will help my daughter learn PIC programming. I would like the kit to have a lesson book that includes instructions on how to program the PIC to do something like motor control or other interesting tasks. I would like her to program the PIC using C language. If anyone knows of a good trainer kit please let me know.

Thanks,
Joe
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Lenp
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Re: Looking for a PIC Kits with Lesson book

Post by Lenp »

Hi, and welcome!
I understand you are interested in C programming, but I suggest as a starter you look into the Picaxe products. These are PIC processors with embedded bootstrap code. Picaxe offers a free downloadable editor/debugger/simulator package for all their processor versions, a comprehensive reference guide, and a very active forum.

With this system a program can be developed several ways, by coding in a very easy to understand basic dialect, or by a flow chart. Your code is debugged and run on a pretty capable interactive simulator, all for the cost of zero! The simulator has indicators, switches and analog inputs, LCD simulation and more plus it is completely interactive with your running software.
The only, probably unavoidable, bug is that the simulation is much slower than the realtime micro. Sometimes tweaking a timing loop may be needed after the live test is run.

Since their software runs without an actual micro being connected, when you ready to load to a micro, a few simple parts are needed, or you can use one of their many breadboards. A few clicks, and the program is downloaded to the reprogrammable micro, ready to do real work, or work interactvly with the connected PC.

Revolution Education is behind the PicAxe system and they introduced it in educational institutions in the UK some time ago, where it has gained great success. Their product is available here in the U.S. from several suppliers, and their prices are quite reasonable. The forum is monitored by their tech support people, and answers are usually fast and accurate. Look it over, you will be amazed at the breath of projects being done with these inexpensive jems!

Even if you want to stay with C, give this a look. You may be impressed.

Here are some helpful links:
http://www.picaxe.com
https://www.sparkfun.com
http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe
http://www.robotshop.com/

Note:
Last year I completed a custom paging system interface, providing a simulated dialtone, and decoding touch tone signals to generate zoned paging and alert signals. A $4 PicAxe was at the heart of it all, with lots of unused space for any changes later.

And nope, I have no financial or other interest in PicAxe, just spreading the word! :grin:
Len
Len

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a big pile of junk.” (T. Edison)
"I must be on the way to success since I already have the junk". (Me)
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