thanks for giving the post a due consideration hock!
Now what i meant was that i am going on with embedded systems and i want the best bite. i have started 8051 and want to study from the best material available .Ps suggest the best one or if some good links that carry info about the same. and ps also about a good project i could carry along with this microcontrolller.
why should you 'pollute' your mind with basic?
Just start with the real stuff (C ;-) ). It ain't that difficult and you learn much more and usefull stuff!
Imagecraft has a good AVR Compiler with free trial. There are good 8051 Compilers available too. I recall that ther is one free IDE for 8051.