A totally unrealeted topic (Controling stuff from your computer)

This is totally unrelated to php, mysql (unless php has functions to talk to the serial/parallel port?)

I'm planning a GCSE electronics project in which i am to control railway signals (from a model railway) from a PC. I was originally planning to control it from the parallel port, as i want to have the facility to add extra parts to the project, such as control for points and trains (but that wont be a part of the initial project unless i finish early).

Does anyone know anything about talking to the parallel or serial port, has anyone had any experience in doing this - what port should i use, parallel or serial? (i'm not using USB - the electronics are too tricky).. what should i use (computer side) to talk to the port, bearing in mind i dont want to spend ages programming something i get almost 0 marks for...

any help, suggestions etc would be appreciated

Well, I am not experienced in this area at all. But, I have been thinking about tinkering around with something such as this. Actually been thinking about getting into something like Lego Mindstorm. Anyway, you can access a serial port (and I would guess a parallel port) through php. Check this link..

http://www.trios.org/php/serialport/