PIC Programmers, In Circuit Programming and BootLoaders

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In the PIC world programming may mean either writing the program by a human being or writing the hex file from the compiled ( assembled ) program into the PIC chip. This page concenrns the former.

Overview

There are several different methods of programming each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Right now I like serial bootloading the best, but it may not be the best for everyone. The following chart summarizes the methods, they are then discussed in more detail later.

Method	What	Details
Hardware Programmer	The PIC is placed in the programmer and the programmer workds with a PC ( typically ) to move the program to the PIC.	All chips can be used with Hardware Programmer, but different chips may require different programmers.
In Circuit Programming		Not all chips can be used with In Circuit Programming.
Serial Bootloaders	In this method a small program ( the Serial Bootloader ) is hidden away in the PIC memory and upon reset the PIC would check its serial connection and if connected to a Bootloader utility on the connection a new program is loaded into the PIC, and then the downloaded program begins. If the Bootloader utility is not connected the current PIC program is run. The serial connection can be of any type, RS232 or USB for example.	Requires initial programing with a Hardware Programmer, and the serial connection. The PC runs the Bootloader utility. Not all chips can be used with Serial Bootloaders.