Programming the PIC Microcontroller with MBASIC

"I've been so impressed with this book in the week I've been reading it, that I have to think the only reason it's not made it to these forums yet is because no one has found it yet. If you've been waiting, as I have, for a rewrite of the MBasic manual, then you should buy this book. This is much more than just a manual (although it's very good as that), and I haven't seen any MBasic tutorials with this much depth anywhere. It's an AMAZING volume of work, easily one of the best textbooks on any subject that I've seen in a long time. 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 subjects 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. My biggest question now is, it's obvious that Jack got some fantastic help on the project from Basic Micro themselves - so why aren't they selling the book right from this site? Or at least announcing its availability? So far, I have found answers to every question that's stumped me even after reading these forumsI 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." --Brian, Basic Micro Forum"I got home late tonight. I wish I'd gotten home a lot sooner because THE book is here!! And it's a beaut, too. All I can say is...Some day I hope to know as much about PICs as Jack forgets every day....This meets my definitions of "complete" and "comprehensive"!" --kenjj, Basic Micro Forum“This very useful book allows even someone new to PICs to be able to choose the proper device, program and design the circuit for simple to sophisticated designs. This is a great book for quickly learning about and using microcontrollers to do amazing tasks.” --IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, Dec. 2005

• CHAPTER 1: What is a PICR?; CHAPTER 2: MBasic Compiler and Development Boards; CHAPTER 3: The Basics – Output; CHAPTER 4: The Basics - Digital Input; CHAPTER 5: LCD Modules; CHAPTER 6: Reading Complex Input Switches; CHAPTER 7: Seven-Segment LED Displays; CHAPTER 8: Introductory Stepper Motors; CHAPTER 9: RS-232 Serial Interface; CHAPTER 10: Interrupts and Timers in MBasic; CHAPTER 11: Analog-to-Digital Conversion; CHAPTER 12: Digital Temperature Sensors and Real-Time Clocks; CHAPTER 13: Assembler 101; CHAPTER 14: In-Line Assembler; CHAPTER 15: Interrupt Handlers and Timers in Assembler; CHAPTER 16: Digital-to-Analog Conversion; CHAPTER 17: DTMF Tone Decoding and Telephone Interface; CHAPTER 18: External Memory; CHAPTER 19: Advanced Stepper Motors; CHAPTER 20: X-10 Home Automation; CHAPTER 21: Digital Potentiometers and Controllable Filter; CHAPTER 22: Infrared Remote Controls; CHAPTER 23: AC Power Control; CHAPTER 24: DC Motor Control; CHAPTER 25: Bar Code Reader; CHAPTER 26: Sending Morse Code; CHAPTER 27: Morse Code Reader; CHAPTER 28: Weather Station and Data Logger; CHAPTER 29: Migrating from v5.2.1.x to 5.3.0.0 and the Undocumented MBasic; APPENDIX A: Parts List; APPENDIX B: Function Index