Hi All in 8052 LAND,

I am looking for comments and suggestions on software tool chains for the PC specifically for Windows XP etc. I would like to write Windows Applications to access Serial and USB etc.

I will be connecting to the PC my micro controller projects.

I have embedded C, Visual basic experience (and tinkering with VC++ 6.0)

I have access to the follow PC software tool chains
a. Visual Studio 6.0 (C++ and VB)
b. Various flavors of GCC and suitable IDE's
c. turbo Delphi (now freely available for download)
d. Visual Studio 2005 express now freely available for
download)
e. and other freely down loadable tools.

My mail goal is to write some windows app's to talk to my micro's.

Comments on what I think so far
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Visual C++ seems to be very predominant.. in code examples for USB drivers and app's but but I am still getting my head around OOP and creating drivers for USB etc.

VB... I have experience - and if the USB drivers are already available for connected devices then... I can work with VB... but compile sizes are quite large'ish.

For VC++ and VB - To share development work.... of users have to purchase MS Visual products.

For Visual studio 2005 express edition... I need to know if there are objects and components for Serial Comport and USB etc.

Similarly for turbo Delphi - I need to know weather there Serial comport and USB components readily available. And Delphi seems a more... uncomplicated language than C++

For GCC, DevC++ and tool chains - I am interested... in the open source and the large community contributions... but again I look for comport and USB code.

Any experiences or comments you have to make will be appreciated.

Regards Joe