Agreed.

I think this is another topic like the cursed 8255 that creates a plethora of responses and most of them quite nasty ones!

Let me sum it up :

1. If you can get one and afford one, PLEASE get a programmer and get cracking. Testing your own code is the PRIORITY and how to burn it inside a MCU is NOT.

2. If both of above are difficult / impossible / un-affordable then plan to build a programmer of your own.

3. If at all you manage to build one of your own, be AWARE that improper programming is an ADDITIONAL aspect to keep in mind when de-bugging.

And if you have any other points to add, you are most welcome.

Bye

Raghu