Andy,

There are great tutorials here on
8052.com. Databooks are sometimes more
difficult. The best databook I have
to start with comes from MHS.

When you are a 8051 newcomer, first
study the original 8031.
Focus on the memory architecture, it is
quite different from other processors
you might have experience with.

Then study the instruction set in detail. Do not learn it by hard.
Just the concepts.

Then get yourself a macro assembler.
Try to follow some exercises, get familiar with 8051 interrupts.

There are some excellent software simulators on the net. Use them to test your code, before going to burn EPROMS.

When it comes to start first hardware
development: I can advise you cygnal's development board to start with.
(www.cygnal.com) cost: 99$
It comes with an execelent IDE, assembler, a non-intrusive JTAG based
debugger, a power supply, and a jtag
adaptor.
Just needs a single serial port on
your PC to do it all.

I can send you some of my code later on,
if you decide to go that way.

Do not even think about C before you
master the complete chip.
Configuring a compiler can be quite
tricky, and embedded C is no PC-based C.
(I do not know your experience)

Later on, you will have to make a
choise for a device to base your
harware on. List the peripherals
you neerd your memory requirements,
and make your choise.

Do not hesitate to email me for further
info/help.

I have done 15 yrs of 8051, and was
recently offered a college seat to teach
embedded software practice.


Frank