im going to buy some chips like the 16f648a so i can leave them in projects without having to reuse them. when i go on microchip direct and search for it, it seems that there is a large range. just wondering what i should get, thanx

http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?keywords=PIC16F648A

The 16f648a will do you for most of your projects, you want the Package type PDIP.

I would keep with the 16f648a microchip.. And as you learn more about microchips then you could move up to the 18F series and programme using Swordfish.

Yep, just as bitfogav said, most of them will be surface mount - your want the pdip package which has the legs that go through the PCB or can go into a breadboard.

thanx i was just a bit confused with the extra set of letters on the end