David from uC Hobby shows how to use a computer parallel port instead of a microcontroller when developing new projects. The article also includes the Microsoft C# code that he uses.

“Using the parallel port is often easier to work with then a microcontroller. I find that testing code on the PC can be much easier then going straight to the firmware as the developer tools for the PC platform are better. This is especially true when working with a new device such as a graphic LCD. Once you get your code working through the PC printer port, then you can easily port the code and what you have learned into the firmware.”