How about expect? This should get you started: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expect
If you want to use Windows I'd go with expect through cygwin rather than the native Windows port of expect.
You can of course do all of this in something more modern like Python, but that might be a steeper learning curve.
I thought about expect/cygwin but in my opinion is too hard to use for the average Windows operator who expects just to: - install the application by running an .exe or unzipping a .zip - launching the application - press a couple of buttons on GUI and see the result.
I think Python could be a very good solution. Since I never worked with it, I ask just few questions: 1) for Windows platform, is possible to generate one single .exe file taht includes all the required stuff (such as libraries and runtime components)? If not, it is possible to group all of them in one single .zip file? 2) What about serial ports support? Is this really platform independent? 3) What about graphical interface? Is it possible to use the same library (and consequently have similar look&feel) on Windows and Linux?
Cheers, llandre
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