interface - Hardware to do i/o to and from external devices -

I have found a potential client who wants a database based app, either driving MySQL or PostgreSQL in Java or Python, But we need to get input from the outer machine, every time when this external machine closes a microswight, then one value decreases in the database and it appears on the app.

In addition, when the value in the database becomes zero, then we want to turn the light on the external machine until the operator does anything in the GUI, and then we want to turn off the light.

The proposed solution for my client is to wire the microwwight in one of the keys on the keyboard and just avoid using that key for some more (they suggested the F12 button), and To control the light by ringing the sound, file it through the left channel to start it, and the right channel to stop it.

This is a little thing for me, especially the wire going to the keyboard - and not just cheese, but it is possible source of hardware problems if the operator accidentally removes a wire. I want to do a lot that went to the USB port or possibly went into an internal card, just to keep the stars from the back and away operator. But since the customer expects to sell them all, he wants to keep the price down.

I know that this "programming" is not strictly, but it is solving a problem in a program that is writing I. So I'm asking you: Is there a cheap hardware tool that I want?

Cheap hardware device:

This is small, inexpensive, programmable, and It is very easy to know how to program (many C ++) it can interface with either USB or serial depending on the board you receive. This is a wet dream of hardware hackers, when it comes to tinkering with a weird project, which needs to be interfaced with a computer, you can wire an LED to inform the technician directly to the Ardino < / P>

Pros: Very little hardware knowledge required to complete your project All the stars are on the site of the RDuO project for reading a switch and for an LED lighting system.

Cons: Learn how to interfere with your software with the Ardino Library can take some time.