PIC16F88

Unlike the other chips here - it doesn't ship with any software pre-loaded on the chip. The PICAXE 18X is the exact same piece of hardware with some code loaded on it.

PIC16F88's can be purchased for under $5. Lower end PIC chips are available starting around $1.50 each. Cheap!

The binary code image for the chip can be generated by an assembler, or a higher-level language compiler such as C or Basic.

There is currently not a full-featured free C-Compiler for the PIC series of chips. In contrast, Amtel's AVR line has a complete port of the GNU C compiler available free of charge. This is a major advantage for Atmel.

There are many free or inexpensive compilers for the PIC series of chips. However, most of the free versions are limited as to the maximum binary size they'll produce.

mikroBasic is one example. It seems well documented and has a nice development environment. mikroBasic is a commercial product - but has a free version that supports up to 2k of compiled code (enough for many projects). The full version is $149.

The CC5x C compiler has a free version that will produce binaries for the 16F88. It is however, limited to 1k word of binary output. One version of the Autonomous B combat robot utilized this compiler. As a side note, it's mostly ANSI C compliant, but not entirely.

A special "programmer" is required to load the binary code onto the chip prior to use.

I'm using a PIC-PG4. This board works as both a programmer and project board for 18-pin PICs. Sparkfun sells the PG4 -and- PIC16F88 for $25.95. This is a good deal.

I've found that the Winpic programming software works well with the above mentioned board (and the price is right - free). Select "JDM programmer" as the interface type.

The chip has a few neat features. For one it has a built in oscillator which minimizes the need for external components. A minimal LED flashing circuit doesn't really require anything besides the chip, a battery and the LED (a resistor may also be needed to limit the LED draw to under 20ma).

The chip can run at up to 20mhz, has 368 bytes of RAM, and 4k words of ROM.

I haven't done any tests - but in theory the PIC running native code should be much faster than any of the interpreter chips reviewed.

Microchip makes PICs that are faster and have more memory, however they tend to be 28-pin form factor.