As a starting point it's great, and is more than capable for most applications. However there are some things that are little counter intuitive.
I can't say:
Code:
If readadc A0 > b0 then
'do stuff
End if
I would have to read the adc into a variable and then do the comparison. This is then compounded if I want to compare 2 or more analogue signals.
I am well aware that it may well compile into basically the same at compile time. I have been finding the interrupt system very lacking of recent times, same with the shortness of the background timer overflow. Less than 2 seconds versus more than 52 days. Then there is the or and or does difference, most 16mgz chips with outrun a picaxe running at 64mhz.
Now I can pick up a some nanos at cost of around £12 for 3 without the cost of a special lead.
Then the code is normally transportable between wildly different controllers, even controllers that are traditional not Arduino. Write a piece of code for a Uno, use it on a teensy or a attiny...
For most hobbiest, picaxe is more than enough. But a smaller user base there is going to be less cider written for less components.