PIC MCUs-I Have been using PICBasic PRO 2.50b but would like to learn Assembly ASAP..

[rxforspeed]

Hey guys, I'm a noob to this forum, but I'm loving it so far; it's right up my alley! I read the MCU datasheets from Microchip Technologies, but my problem is that they're laid out for programmers/designers/engineers in assembly language. I still haven't mastered PICBasic PRO (from melabs.com), but I will soon enough. I'd like to find a good tutorial and complier for programming both the mid-and high-range MCUs (16F and 18F series, I've only used the Flash/EEPRROM versions so far) in assembly...

I've found various references on this forum regarding free assembly language compliers, does anybody have any links to any free *unlimited* compiler versions? PBP is fine for what I'm doing right now, but all the info I NEED seems to only be covered in assembly. Can anybody suggest a good book/tutorial on learing assembly (preferrably from the same manufacturer/distributor as the compiler), written in an easy-to-understand format? I've learned my way around converting decimal numbers to binary, hex, and vice-versa, so I can understand that, but some of the commands I've run across in the MCU datasheets don't seem to make much sense to me...

I'm sure I can start the learning process of assembly language while I'm still working with PBP; the differences are great enough (as it seems anyway) that it shouldn't confuse me too much. Anyway, thanks in advance for all your time, help, and cooperation. I greatly appreciate any links, suggestions, or advice that you guys can provide...

Sincerely,
-Adam Collins

 

[futz]

I've found various references on this forum regarding free assembly language compliers, does anybody have any links to any free *unlimited* compiler versions?

Microchip **broken link removed** comes with MPASM, a free PIC assembler. It's the one you want. MPLAB is a very nice IDE and MPASM is, as far as I know, the only assembler there is for PICs. An assembler is called an assembler, not a compiler.

Can anybody suggest a good book/tutorial on learing assembly (preferrably from the same manufacturer/distributor as the compiler), written in an easy-to-understand format?

Look at Nigel Goodwin's tutorials. Just find one of his posts and hit the link at the bottom.

I've learned my way around converting decimal numbers to binary, hex, and vice-versa, so I can understand that, but some of the commands I've run across in the MCU datasheets don't seem to make much sense to me...

PIC assembler isn't too tough to learn. You've already learned a lot of the stuff that trips up beginners, so that'll help.

 

[rxforspeed]

I've got MPLAB IDE V8.1 and MPASM V5.2-it was included with PICBasic PRO (as was High-Tec's PIC C Lite), but I can't find where I'd write the source code in assembly language-would I just save it as a normal ASCII file (like under notebook) with a .asm extension so it could assemble it?

Thanks for the info on learning assembly language, I've seen a couple of his posts, so I'll make sure to click the link at the botom next time I see one. It seems that link lead to the WINPIC(800?) program though, but I'm not sure. I'll double check it again to see if that's right. If so, I've already got that program on my notebook for a JDM type programmer I've got, but the voltage on my notebook isn't high enough to power the JDM unit...

I'll do some more research/homework and see if I can find some good tutorials online. I can get by with PBP for the time being, but I definately want to learn both assembly and "C" as soon as I can...

Once again, thanks for your help! I really appreciate it!

-Adam

 

[futz]

I've got MPLAB IDE V8.1 and MPASM V5.2-it was included with PICBasic PRO (as was High-Tec's PIC C Lite), but I can't find where I'd write the source code in assembly language-would I just save it as a normal ASCII file (like under notebook) with a .asm extension so it could assemble it?

No! No! No! I think you've completely misunderstood what MPLAB is. It's an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). You set up a project in MPLAB, telling it what language you want to use (for assembler, use Microchip MPASM Toolsuite). You use MPLAB's editor and save the file as filename.asm. You use MPLAB to assemble your source code. Then you use the other tools in MPLAB to program the chip, use the debugger, and many other good things.

Later you might want to get into C programming. Most C compilers (and BASIC too) integrate into MPLAB properly, so you use the same IDE for all your languages.

If you're looking for a C compiler I recommend SourceBoost BoostC. The demo is only code size/RAM limited - works for all supported PICs. And when you hit the limits of the demo, a full license for the compiler is only about $75! Compare with C18's price of ~$500 and PICC's price of ~$1000. It's a no brainer! Better yet, BoostC comes with both 16F (supports some 12F also) and 18F compilers.

 

[nickelflippr]

MPLAB is a very nice IDE and MPASM is, as far as I know, the only assembler there is for PICs.

Another assembler is GPASM in the GPUTILS suite. But as long as Microchip is giving away the MPASM....

EDIT: GCBasic is a free unlimited Basic compiler, uses MPASM or GPASM as an assembler, add any IDE of your choice. You can inline assembler like any other modern compiler.

 

[futz]

Another assembler is GPASM in the GPUTILS suite. But as long as Microchip is giving away the MPASM....

Well there you go. I knew there had to be another one somewhere...