nothing both are RS232 driver. the only thing is the manufacturing of the IC the MAX232 is manufactured by the MAXIM and Texas Instrument while the ST232 is manufactured by the STMicroelectronics.
I see. But is the pin configuration of st232 is the same as max232? Is it safe to replace the st232 on the circuit of max232 in the fabricated PCB which the max232 is exist in there. If the max232 IC is defected, can I replace the st232 IC?
Well' its a pic programmer. I saw some pic programmer circuit, they have st232. Well, will it still work properly when I replace st232 to max232 in that circuit?