Editing PIC microcontrollers (section)

==Device programmers==
{{Main article|PICkit}}
[[File:Picstart Development Programmer.jpg|thumb|This is a 2003 era programmer for the Microchip "PIC" family of microcontrollers. It connects by RS 232 cable to a PC compatible running development software. In 2003 this unit cost $300 Canadian (about $200 US at the time).]]
Devices called "[[programmer (hardware)|programmer]]s" are traditionally used to get program code into the target PIC. Most PICs that Microchip currently sells feature [[In-circuit serial programming (ICSP)|ICSP]] (in-circuit serial programming) and/or LVP (low-voltage programming) capabilities, allowing the PIC to be programmed while it is sitting in the target [[Electronic circuit|circuit]].

Microchip offers programmers/debuggers under the [[MPLAB devices|MPLAB]] and [[PICKit]] series. MPLAB ICD5 and MPLAB REAL ICE are the current programmers and debuggers for professional engineering, while PICKit 5 is a low-cost programmer / debugger line for hobbyists and students.

===Bootloading===
Many of the higher end flash based PICs can also self-program (write to their own program memory), a process known as bootloading. Demo boards are available with a small factory-programmed bootloader that can be used to load user programs over an interface such as [[RS-232]] or [[USB]], thus obviating the need for a programmer device.

Alternatively there is bootloader firmware available that the user can load onto the PIC using ICSP. After programming the bootloader onto the PIC, the user can then reprogram the device using RS232 or USB, in conjunction with specialized computer software.

The advantages of a bootloader over ICSP is faster programming speeds, immediate program execution following programming, and the ability to both debug and program using the same cable.

===Third party===
There are many programmers for PIC microcontrollers, ranging from the extremely simple designs which rely on ICSP to allow direct download of code from a host computer, to intelligent programmers that can verify the device at several supply voltages. Many of these complex programmers use a pre-programmed PIC themselves to send the programming commands to the PIC that is to be programmed. The intelligent type of programmer is needed to program earlier PIC models (mostly EPROM type) which do not support in-circuit programming.

Third party programmers range from plans to build your own, to self-assembly kits and fully tested ready-to-go units. Some are simple designs which require a PC to do the low-level programming signalling (these typically connect to the [[serial port|serial]] or [[parallel port]] and consist of a few simple components), while others have the programming logic built into them (these typically use a serial or USB connection, are usually faster, and are often built using PICs themselves for control).