PIC to PC newbie

[Michael]

I have a device that I've built that is PIC based that simply monitors contact closures.

It will sense the closure and based on the setting of a trim pot will keep the closure "active" for as long as you desire. In other words, it can convert a momentary contact into any duration you want, up to 20 minutes.

The PIC outputs this closure info as an RS-232 stream.

Here's my question and I hope you don't think it off topic.

Can anyone lead me to a possible windows or linux software product that will
monitor the RS-232 port and allow me to create a customizable display the computer screen will show for this closure information?

Does something like this exist?

For example, say I receive a contact closure at position 3 and I want to assign a title to it like "SMOKE ALARM" or whatever and perhaps even be able to put in a background color bar or make it flash, etc

I have never delved into this area -- I've done a little searching and see RS-232 monitor programs but they just show diagnostic stuff.

THANKS for any help.

[dhouston]

If I understand what you want, search for Easy Control Script which lets you create virtual instrumentation panels using a fairly simple VB-ish scripting language.

Here's the web site. http://thebyteworks.com/easycontrol/index.html

[Michael]

Thanks....looks very interesting....I suppose one way or another I'll have to brush up on vbasic and do some programming with whatever I find.

I doubt if there's something all windows based that's ready to go.

[GioppY]

Have a look at

http://www.selmaware.com/stampplot/home.htm

Regards

[Michael]

Thanks for both of those suggestions...they both look like something I can use.

Another question....

Is there such a thing as some software out there that is ridicuously simple (wysiwyg...drag and drop etc) that can write very simple windows applications?

Of course, I know Visual basic is probably the place to start and I've studied a bit with it, but does such an animal exist? An even higher level language that lets you create very basic applications?

(Or I suppose, an even more user friendly basic?)

[Michael]

I just discovered something this morning called "Liberty basic"? Anyone familiar with that? (Only 50 bucks to boot).

They claim it's easier to learn than Visual basic?

Any other ideas?

THANKS

[malc-c]

I found I couldn't get to grips with it as it was more like programming old basic rather than visual.

I've recently dabbled with Visual C# 2005 Express edition which is free from http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/default.aspx

There are loads of demo's, examples etc. ( http://www.learnvisualstudio.net/content/series/visual_csharp_2005_express_edition_for_beginners.a spx for example ). With the help of some of the videos I was creating my first application in no time at all.

[mister_e]

Yup any Microsoft Express components are free. New VBExpress include now a SerialPort OCX. Make things easier.

VBExpress link: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/

[Michael]

Wow....great info....thanks.

I had no idea there were free "express" versions of basic and c.

Thanks for the help !

[campmdabt]

This is probably not a very viable option, but i have recently been working with LabVIEW which is a graphical programming interface, and has a "front panel" where you can make your instrument panel display and ready made functions for reading and writing serially.

I believe you can get an evaluation version for free, but the license is, sadly, expensive which is why i feel it might not be a viable option.

Cameron