Hi,
* The PIC datasheet tells you which method (ports, pins, voltages, protocols....) the IC accepts.
* All programmers (PC based, arduino, dedicated programmer, anything else ...) need to keep on these methods.
So PIC side is clearly defined.
But programmer side variants are unlimited: With / without PC, PC with different OS, differnt software tools, FPGA based, microcontroller based, logic based, external USB periferal based (FTDI...) ...
countless.
Klaus