Teaching kids about computers...

[Chuck Guzis]

On 28 Nov 2007 at 0:23, Jim Brain wrote:

  
> Maybe it's easier for others to grok, but I struggle with the PIC 
> architecture (pages of memory, and the strangeness in addressing, make 
> me wince).  Though, I find the AVR simple to understand, flat memory 
> model, and lots of IO to play with.  I've created lots of C64 projects 
> with them. Still, I have my PICkit2 and a batch of PICs from Parallax 
> here and I'll get proficient on them as well.  I cut my teeth on the 
> Scenix SX, which mimic PIC of some vintage.

I guess if I were teaching a young 'un, the AVR would be a good 
choice.  Part of the problems with PIC architecture lies in the way 
said architecture is described in the datasheets leading to some 
warped thinking.  But the other part does lie in the warped 
implementation.  

I think discussion of the PIC is probably on-topic, as the 
architecture dates back to 1975 as a support processor for the GI 
CP1600 CPU (which had a much more orthogonal instruction set).

Of course, the 8051/8048/68HC11 all qualify as vintage architectures 
and would also be choices for teaching.

Cheers,
Chuck