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Software installation
Install the compiler (PICBASIC) and programming (EPIC) software
according to the directions provided in their manuals. I created a
directory on my computer’s hard drive called APPLICS. I used the
DOS path command so that I could run both the compiler and pro-
gramming software from this directory. I wrote and saved all my
programming text files in the APPLICS directory also. For complete
software installation directions with a basic DOS commands tutor-
ial, along with numerous PIC microcontroller applications, read my
PIC Microcontroller Project Book (McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000).
Step 1: Writing the BASIC language program

PICBASIC programs are written using any word processor that is
able to save its text file as ASCII or DOS text. Every word processor
I have worked with has this option. Use the Save As command and
choose MS-DOS text, DOS text, or ASCII text. The finished text
file is compiled into a program by the PICBASIC compiler. If you
don’t own a word processor, you can use Windows Notepad, which is
included with Windows 3.X, 95, and 98, to write the BASIC language
source file. (In Windows, look under Accessories.) At the DOS level
you can use the Edit program to write text files.
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When you save the file, save it with a .bas suffix. So if you were
saving a program named Wink, you would save it as wink.bas.

Step 2: Using the compiler
The PICBASIC compiler program is started by entering the com-
mand pbc followed by the name of the text file. For example, if the
text file we created is named wink.bas, then at the DOS command
prompt enter
pbc wink.bas

The BASIC compiler compiles the text file and creates two additional
files, an .asm (assembly language) file and a .hex (hexadecimal) file.
The wink.asm file is the assembly language equivalent to the BASIC
program. The wink.hex file is the machine code of the program
written in hexadecimal numbers. It is the .hex file that is loaded
into the PIC chip.

If the compiler encounters errors when compiling the BASIC
source code, it will list each error it has found along with the line
number where the error is located and terminate. The errors listed
need to be corrected in the BASIC source code before it will suc-
cessfully compile.
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