4 - PicBasic and PicBasic Pro programming

Abstract

BASIC is considered as one of the oldest and one of the easiest programming languages to learn. This chapter describes the principles of programming PIC microcontrollers, using the PicBasic and PicBasic Pro languages. Both these languages are very similar to the standard BASIC language, but they have some modified and some additional instructions specifically for microcontroller programming. Both PicBasic and PicBasic Pro languages are developed by the microEngineering Labs Inc. PicBasic is a lower-cost, simpler language than PicBasic Pro and is essentially aimed at students and hobbyists. PicBasic Pro is more expensive, aimed at professionals, and includes additional commands for more advanced instructions. In context to PicBasic language, a detailed description of all the commands can be found in the PicBasic Compiler manual. The chapter provides a list of the comparison between PicBasic and PicBasic Pro languages, and discusses the variable types and the commands of the PicBasic language. Variables are used to store temporary data in a program. These variables are stored in the general purpose area of the RAM memory of a microcontroller. Variables in PicBasic can be bytes or words.