PIC microcontroller

I just purchased a PIC microcontroller. I've used an eval board for the motorola HC11 and it had a serial port built it. How do i connect a PIC uC to the computer to upload code?

Thanks!

There are a hundred different models of PIC controllers.

Many of those can be programmed with inexpensive programmers available on Ebay that will connect to your serial port or sometimes to your usb port. Search Ebay for pic programmer to get some idea of the variety available. Often you can get one of these for under $20.

Which one?

It also has code to load applications too. It's called a bootloader.

A raw PIC requires a programmer. Here is a PICLIST page that lists a bunch of them:

I have a programmer of my own design that can be used to dump code in a pinch. You can find the Trivial Programmer here:

Since you are used to bootloaders, I would suggest that you continue down that path with your PIC. You can find out a lot about PIC bootloaders on the Tiny bootloader page:

Be very aware of the fact that you still need a traditional PIC programmer to get the bootloader code into the PIC. It's one of the primary purposes of my Trivial Programmer series.

Good luck with your PIC stuff. You may want to subscribe to the PICList. There are well over 2000 PIC enthusiasts there that will be happy to answer questions that you may have. The PICList site is a virtual encyclopeadia of PIC information.

Hope this helps,

BAJ