Yes it's fine, depending on exactly what you're doing with the pins - I often allocate a debugging serial port to them (an FTDI board connected to them doesn't affect the programming.).
Yes it's fine, depending on exactly what you're doing with the pins - I often allocate a debugging serial port to them (an FTDI board connected to them doesn't affect the programming.).
The DIP switch and the ICSP connector can be seen by the end of the PIC.
When I need to program the chip, I just flick the switches to the open position.
To run the program, unplug the PICKit and close the switches.
Maybe not the most efficient method, but it suits me, and I have plenty of DIP switch packs on hand.
You can, but I don't unless absolutely forced to because not being able to program a chip is a game breaking scenario. Also lets you reflash and try your code without needing to disconnect everytime and lets you use the debugger uf you have one.
As most of us have said, it's perfectly OK to use the programming pins for I/O, as long as you're careful what you connect them to - as I've already mentioned, I often use them as serial I/O for debugging purposes - an FTDI module connected to them doesn't upset the programming, nor does the programming upset the FTDI.