EPE: PIC Microcontrollers and the PICkit 3: A beginner's guide – Part 1

This month, I start an ongoing series going back to basics for PIC Microcontrollers and the PICkit3.

Over the coming months, I'll be covering everything from the difference between microcontrollers and microprocessors to Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, the PIC Low Pin Count Demo Board and the incredibly useful PICkit3 programmer tool. I hope to build a strong foundation of understanding for microcontroller programming and project design.

This month I look at the difference between microcontrollers and microprocessors, as well as Raspverry PI's, Arduino's and PICs.

If you've always to give PICs a try, but didn't know where to start, then this month is a great time to subscribe to Everyday Practical Electronics and read my monthly PIC n MIX articles.

You can buy it in PDF format online at http://www.epemag.com/buy-epe-online.html or you can buy it off from the shelf in your nearest newsagents.

To follow along with the articles, I recommend getting your hands on the following:
1. Purchase the PICkit 3 Low Pin Count Demo Board (http://tinyurl.com/h2jj2ek)
2. Purchase the PICkit 3 Programmer + USB Cable (http://tinyurl.com/zcpx3le)
3. Download PICkit 3 Starter Kit User’s Guide (http://tinyurl.com/jyqfeuk)
4. Download MPLAB X IDE (http://tinyurl.com/hmehqja)
5. Download XC8 Compiler (http://tinyurl.com/h5g9k5l)

I can't fit everything in the article, so whatever extra I have, might end up here on my blog page. So be sure to check back regularly for more cool projects.