My first book; Programming PIC Microcontrollers with PICBASIC was written about using the PICBASIC and PICBASIC Pro Compiler from microEngineering Labs. It's a BASIC compiler for Microchip PIC MCU's if you aren't familiar with it. I've been using the compiler since it was first released. Along the way I asked many times for a free version so I could use it in books and reference for readers, even if the version was limited to one device. They listened and would occasionally throw me a bone. At first I had a version that only worked with the PIC16F84A but that didn't last. Then eventually a sample version was released and I used that in my book "Programming PICs in BASIC" which is my second book to use PICBASIC. Then a few years back they released the new PBP3 version and the sample version became a 15 day evaluation version which I hate. Beginner's need more time and 15 days is not enough to evaluate a compiler.
Well, the good news is the PBP3 Student Edition is now a free download. You have to go through their purchasing process but in the end no credit card is needed just a registration and you get an email with the download link and the registration key to enable it. The Student version has two limitations, its for non-commercial use and it only supports the 12F683, 16F688, 16F690, 16F88, 16F886, 16F1937, 18F25K20, 18F25K22 and 18F2550 but thats it. It doesn't expire and doesn't limit you to memory size. Its a full blown compiler to learn programming with.
Now the non commercial limit shouldn't be a big deal since most beginner's or hobbyists are only learning anyway. But if you were to come up with some great design, the Gold Version of PBP3 is $279.95 and gives you full commercial use. And that should pay for itself in the first batch of sales. And your code will build without issue cause the Student Version and Gold version use the same syntax, just a lot more parts supported.
The list of parts may look familiar. They are the same list I use in all my elproducts.com influenced designs such as the CHIPAXE and CHIPINO modules. There are even a few extra. The list gives you a part in 8 pin, 14 pin, 18 pin, 20 pin, 28 pin and 40 pin package. Plus you get a couple larger memory 18F parts. So to say this is limiting is not really understanding what they gave us.
Now the non commercial limit shouldn't be a big deal since most beginner's or hobbyists are only learning anyway. But if you were to come up with some great design, the Gold Version of PBP3 is $279.95 and gives you full commercial use. And that should pay for itself in the first batch of sales. And your code will build without issue cause the Student Version and Gold version use the same syntax, just a lot more parts supported.
The list of parts may look familiar. They are the same list I use in all my elproducts.com influenced designs such as the CHIPAXE and CHIPINO modules. There are even a few extra. The list gives you a part in 8 pin, 14 pin, 18 pin, 20 pin, 28 pin and 40 pin package. Plus you get a couple larger memory 18F parts. So to say this is limiting is not really understanding what they gave us.
So I tip my hat to the guys at microEngineering Labs for doing this. I plan to include it in future articles and possibly more books. And the MCStudio IDE that installs with it is a great IDE as well. I cover how to install it and use it with the PICkit 2 in my Programming PICs in BASIC book so it fits well with my Build Your Own PICkit 2 project. When I started out, a cheap programmer was $200 and a compiler was in the thousands. So to see how far this has come to make it easier and cheaper for the hobbyist/hacker/maker/basement engineer is just amazing. So enjoy the new PBP3. And tell them I sent you.
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