Yes, all computers suck in one way or another. The same applies to all
operating systems. Some more than others. ;-)
True, some OSs suck more than others. OTOH, some suck so much they
simply blow.
PICs pretty much have all the same peripherals that I've seen in them.
I haven't looked closely in the past couple of years. 8051s had it
all over others several years back. I had plenty of 8051s (and the
environment) for my last project so I just used them. only needed
ten. ;-)
I just don't like the whole MOV MOVX thing.
The 8051 is extreme Harvard. It makes sense once you break the von
Neuman mindset. A von Neuman controller is a waste.
People whine about bank switching
on PICs, but the 8052 has some of the same thing.
How so? ...at least until 64K no bank switching is needed. After
64K, well the 8051 was never intended to be a PeeCee. ;-)
It's not that I hate
them, I just don't love them. I don't really love PICs either, but I can
live with them for now.
AFAIC, the 8051 is a good choice as a bit-banger, which was what it
was designed to do. As I've said, I've never used a PIC (or
seriously looked at it, even) so I can't compare the two. My
assumption is that the PIC architects aren't brain-dead (like
Dimbulb).
Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I'm not a one tool fits all kind person.
All micros have their place, some have more than others. ;-)
I'm not so sure they ALL do. ;-)
That's my point. On allot of micros, you just set some kind of direction
flag and voila, no ambiguity.
There really isn't any ambiguity with an 8051 either. Gazinta bit
and a gazouta bit and a couple of rules. Some tieups may be needed
for shared pins. Share pins and you'll have that.
You should try them sometime, they're not as bad as people let on. They
shine in abusive environments and will deliver the current to external
devices (usually 20 to 25mA sink or source on most common parts). Hard to
kill for the most part and
I'm certainly not afraid of them, just never had an opportunity.
Maybe I'll buy a kit and play.
I've played with a few different micros, but there are still plenty left
that I haven't. I do want to play with some of those tiny 32 bit ARMs that
have lots of memory and speed.
ARMs don't thrill me much. Too much power. I'd likely have to
learn C. ;-)