PIC Microcontrollers: Know It All (Newnes Know It All)

So often when purchasing technical books I am disappointed by their contents. This book does not fall into that category. It provides a solid overview of using PIC micro-controllers. Examples are given with the usual assortment of stepper motors and temperature sensors. It provides an introduction to programming with a variety of tools, including my personal favorites for the PIC, assembler and MELabs' PIC BASIC. I do wish the coverage of assembler were more in depth, but that is my personal bias.Another reviewer felt that this book was not for beginners. Perhaps thirty years of doing this stuff has skewed my perspective, but I do not think that this book is a bad place for a serious beginner to start. Yes, it is a handy reference for the pro's, but if you have a talent for this sort of stuff, I think this book can get you started (with some effort) and continue to serve as a useful reference going forward. No one book is likely to solve all of your questions, but this will one give you an overview of what your options are with the PIC.If you are a beginner, and not a pro, I will offer you a suggestion that virtually no one else will agree with. Learn an assembler language first. Once you overcome the initial learning curve of all the mnemonics, registers, and the odd ways we do math, you will understand what is going on under the hood as few do. And, like me, you may find that it is actually fun to program in assembler. I'd rather write in assembler than C any day. If, on the other hand, you need a little instant gratification (and we all do from time to time) try PIC BASIC, or even a BASIC STAMP.But I digress. This is an excellent book in spite of lacking depth in some areas. I am glad I spent the money for it, and most of you will be as well.

PIC Microcontrollers, Know it All is exactly what the cover describes it as; the ultimate hard-working desk reference. I bought this book with the hopes that it would help me learn the language necessary to write successful programs for the Microchip® PIC Microcontroller; and it did just that, help. It is not an all-inclusive study guide or teaching aide.The text provides knowledge necessary to build a base knowledge of the inner workings of microcontrollers, and explores some various languages available to help you begin writing programs. It will help you understand how information moves within the microcontrollers, explores memory and architecture types, introduces you to the microcontroller instruction set, and more. With this text, and supplemental information from the internet, I was successful in learning assembly language programming, having had no previous knowledge or experience in about a month's time.I would like to point out, that I felt this book's layout was a bit unorganized. There were sections and chapters that felt out of place, and sometimes left me confused. As an example, the book begins explaining how to accomplish tasks using certain lines of instructions prior to introducing you to any instructions at all, let alone the instructions the text references. I found myself constantly flipping around the book, sometimes hundreds of pages at a time, to find information I needed to read a chapter in the beginning of the book.Despite the book's minor flaws, it still proved to be an invaluable resource, and it will find a permanent home on my book shelf at the side of my desk. Again, as the book's cover says, it is undoubtedly the ultimate hard-working desk reference, and a worth-while investment.

I have mixed feelings about the book. I thought that the author did well in showing how to use MPLAB and various tools like Watch windows, Variable windows, Stimulus etc. However its written for MPLAB not the latest MPLABX. In the newer MPLABX the layout is very different. Some of the tools have new names and new locations. So if you plan on working in MPLABX then you will spend a decent amount of time translating to the newer MPLABX. Some of the programs are old also there are some annoying things like he programs in absolute. I found this out because I spent several days trying to figure out why my user variables were not showing up in the Variables window. That may not mean much to you right now, but when you're a novice and trying to follow the book exercises and it doesn't work, its extremely frustrating. I found errors in some of the code also. All in all I think he explained the PIC very well I just wish the programs were a little tighter and up to date.

Very good basic information.... very thorough on the subject. Get's into hows and whys and details of implementation. All information viable for newer series of chips although this particular edition does tend to focus on older chips.... Overall very satisfied. Hoping for an updated version covering newer peripherals and chips....

While the material in the book is fair, I think the authors and publisher were just trying to make a big book with a lot of pages. A free Newnes Online Membership is advertised on the cover which is supposed to give you "four free downloadable selections from leading experts on the cutting edge", but there is no information on how to take advantage of this offer and emails to [...] support have been ignored. Save your money - most of the information is available online. PIC Microcontrollers: Know It All (Newnes Know It All)

The book was clear and gave detail of individual PIC chips, however apart from the price the book did feel like it did tend to skip slight details that might not be picked up by new comers.

Very happy with my purchase!! Deliver was faster than expected. Water mark they described was barely noticeable and didn't go past page five. Better quality than expected!!

The book is divided into 3 main chapters: assembler programming, Basic programming and C programming. Most people are usually only interested in one language and so two thirds of the book are of no interest - I only wanted information on assembler programming. Because of this such topics like how to use the CCP module are completely missing from the book. If the book had been solely devoted to assembler then the subject could have been covered in more depth. Newnes should have produced three versions; one for each language. As such, the title "Newnes know it all" fails to deliver on what it promises.On the positive side, this is more information contained in the book than there is in other similar books on PIC programming and what it does cover, it explains things better than most.

The Kindle edition has parts missing. The very first programming example in the book (marked Programming Example 4.2) is nearly all absent. I feel cheated by this sloppy work. The book could be useful if the stuff was there.Amazon does not seem to provide any method for me to report such problems and get them fixed.

Very nice book about PIC's. Recommended !

it is very clear to understand.Also it covers very wide range of PIC microcontroller with many practical example and deep knowledge.