Electronic Products
Find us here:
  • Books
    • Embedded C Books >
      • cbookfiles
      • cbook2files
      • cbook3files
    • BASIC Books >
      • Programming PICs in BASIC_vol1
      • PICBasic Book Support
      • Basic Atom Book Support
    • Other Books >
      • Arduino Book
      • chipkitbookfiles
  • Chuck's Blog
    • Blog Posts Archive
    • Disclaimer
  • YouTube Channel
  • About Chuck
    • About Chuck
    • Stock Car Racing
  • 3D Printing
    • Fabrikator Mini
  • Getting Started with PICs
    • BASIC Programming
    • C Programming >
      • C Compilers
  • Build Your Own PICKit 2
    • PICkit 2 Starter Kit
  • CHIPINO
    • Shields
  • CHIPAXE Breadboard Modules
  • Understanding Hex Files
  • chipKIT
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Contact
  • Retired Designs
    • BasicBoard
    • Ultimate OEM
    • Maximite BasicBox
    • Maximino
  • Downloads
  • Kickstarter Projects
    • Demo-Shield
  • Great Cow Basic Site
  • Buy Hardware
  • Links I Recommend

PBP3 Student Edition now FREE!!!

4/22/2014

2 Comments

 
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.
Picture
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.
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.
2 Comments
Fernando
10/24/2014 12:42:25 pm

Reply
Nanda link
4/18/2025 07:43:29 am

student

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Categories

    All
    3D Printer
    Chipaxe
    Chipino
    Chipkit
    CNC
    Copper Connection
    Dot Matrix
    Elproductsnews
    Expresspcb
    Graphic Lcd
    Great Cow Basic
    Kickstarter
    Lcd Shield
    Makefaire
    Makercase
    Maximite
    Microchip Pic
    Pickit 2
    Pickit 3
    Videos

    Visit previous blog posts in the archives below.

    Archives

    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    October 2012
    October 2011

    RSS Feed



    About Chuck

    Chuck has been programming with PIC Microcontrollers since there were only five devices. Now there are over 700 and growing. He also has a lot of fun 3D printing designs using his Davinci 3D printer and TinkerCad software. In this series of blog posts and occasional videos on his YouTube Channel he tries to help you get started with electronics and 3D printing.

    Disclaimer

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.