How to write program for Serial and USB which connect to external hardware?

I am new to hardware programming.

I need to write a program for reading data from Card Reader which connects to the PC windows 2000/XP OS through Interfacing The Serial / RS-232 Port / USB / Bluetooth / Infrared.

May I ask does serial port equal to com port?

The program needs to read and write data of the smart card which places on top of the card reader. The card reader has serveral models, they support Serial / RS-232 Port / USB / Bluetooth / Infrared.

After reading the data, the data will be passed to server's database through internal network.

On the other hand, the program can write data to the card through card reader.

Now, I want to know

Which programming language, SDK and IDE should I use? The program is only running on windows OS.

Languages: C++ / VC++ / VC.net / C# / J2SE

IDE: VC++ 6.0 / Borland C++ Builder / VS.net

I downloaded a Serial SDK from http://home.arcor.de/groschh/SerToolInfo.htm, but how can I use it?

Any online tutorial, code sample or open source project are available?

Please advise.

:confused:

> I downloaded a Serial SDK from http://home.arcor.de/groschh/SerToolInfo.htm, but how can I use it?
I don't think it's an SDK at all.
From what I understand, it's just a replacement for hyperterm, with some additional features to make debugging serial line problems (so in that respect, its worth having).

It should be easy (easier) to just plug your device into the serial port, and use this tool to play with the device (practice sending it commands, and getting responses). Once you're familiar with it, then you can start putting those ideas in code.

> May I ask does serial port equal to com port?
Yes, RS-232 is COM1 in DOS/Window-speak.
Windows has support for those other device types as well, but I don't know how you would go about accessing them.
The way you talk to COM1 in win32 is by using this
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...createfile.asp