If you are currently setting up a project or tracking down components, let me know:
Learning how to write efficient code to control hardware directly.
#include // Configuration Bits (Set internal oscillator, turn off Watchdog Timer) #pragma config FOSC = INTOSCIO // Internal oscillator #pragma config WDTE = OFF // Watchdog Timer off #pragma config LVP = OFF // Low Voltage Programming off #define _XTAL_FREQ 4000000 // Tell the compiler we are running at 4 MHz void main(void) // TRIS (Tri-State) Register controls pin direction // Setting a bit to 0 makes the pin an OUTPUT TRISBbits.TRISB0 = 0; // Set Pin B0 as an output // LAT (Latch) Register controls the output data state LATBbits.LATB0 = 0; // Initialize Pin B0 to LOW (0V) while(1) LATBbits.LATB0 = 1; // Turn LED on (5V) __delay_ms(500); // Wait for 500 milliseconds LATBbits.LATB0 = 0; // Turn LED off (0V) __delay_ms(500); // Wait for 500 milliseconds Use code with caution. Code Breakdown If you are currently setting up a project
Each experiment is designed with a "build it" mentality.
Incorrect register configuration, infinite loops, or wrong pin assignments in code. You can always learn a modern platform later,
The book is divided into 7 sections, but here is the real breakdown of what you learn:
Loose breadboard connections, reversed polarity, missing pull-up resistors, or blown components. The principles of interfacing
For the majority of beginners, The goal is to learn the fundamentals, and this book's friction-free path to doing so is its greatest strength. You can always learn a modern platform later, but the deep conceptual understanding you gain from this book will make that transition much easier.
Despite its age, the book’s value in 2021 is rooted in fundamental concepts that never become obsolete. Its tool-agnostic approach means you’re not locked into a specific, outdated development board. The principles of interfacing, memory management, and real-time control it teaches are directly transferable to modern platforms like the latest PICs or even ARM-based devices. Many users still find its step-by-step progression from beginner to an advanced practitioner very effective.