Differences in the rs232 chip series

[bobdabiulder]

I want to program my esp8266 chip, and I need to know what to use. I've ordered a rs232rl 3.3/5v selectable board through ebay, but I want to know if this will work with an arduino, picaxe, or any similar thing. What's the difference between the rs232, the rs232r, and the rs232rl?  Are they all compatible with each other?

Thanks!

[Huntsman]

Basically they're just the same chip but with different packages. Here's some examples:

 

http://my.element14.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?pageSize=25&st=ft232&catalogId=15001&categoryId=800000000212&langId=83&storeId=10188

 

If you want to know exactly what model corresponds to which package, check out its datasheet. The importance of the package only comes when you want to make a PCB layout for it.

[bobdabiulder]

Thanks