How do i switch tube light on and off from my vb program?

Tube Light?  What do you mean?

Llight or a fan any home appliances.

Realisticly, I do not think that this is possible from a VB app.  But you can always try!!

you are talking of embedded programming. for this u need to get the API's of the hardware which will control the tubelight. i don't think this is possible through VB but the first step is to get the hardware and required API's from the vendor.

-A.Pandey

This is off the top of my head, but I think you may be able to pick up some converters for an AC power network and then a module that a light would plug into that you could control through the computer.  The network would run through the electical wiring of the house and the module would plug into an outlet and the light would plug into the module.  The module would be able to receive commands from the computer to turn on and off the light.

I don't know if this is viable but check out this page http://www.symantec.com/homecomputing/network.html

You could alternatively use IR (InfraRed).  You would need remote control lighting and and IR port on your machine.  Of course, you would have to be in the same room as the lighting.  It would work just like a remote control.

That being said the problem that you run into when trying to accomplish something like this is communication.  You need to have a line of a communication (a wire or wave) to the device and then the device needs to be able to speak a language that the computer understands.  Right now most lights are "dumb".  They have lighting that will come on using voice commands.  They may have lighting that can be programmed to.

You should probably be able to pick something up that will work, but I can bet it will not be for the faint of heart, or the faint in pocketbook $$$.

Hope this helps.

Check out X10 home automation at www.x10.com
I've got some of there stuff and it's great.

The tech section has the details on how to control things from VB. It's a little hard to find.

Hi,

I have just a comment.  Back in 1991 or so, my (soon to be) wife's daughter was dating some tech person that had his lights and stereo rack in a particular room controlled by voice (!) through a PC.  While I was in the room, he spoke the unit's activation command (which was 'Mr. Spock'), told it to lower the lights a couple of times, then raise the lights, then turn on his stereo.  It all happened as he spoke.  In light of this, I would have to believe that controlling many things with VB would be possible, given the right drivers and connectivity.

Ken

I see code silmilar of in old VB3 days working with Serial/parallel port. Just i don't remember. I will try to find the source.
The problem is you need a device that could manage light and accept input from some of these ports.

...for instance, have a look at this card: http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nioc.vp?cid=10127&lang=US (which is a link from the NI site)

At x10, check out the firecracker:

http://www.x10.com/firecracker/fc_offer_br1ab.htm

Step by step instructions for controlling from VB:

http://vboverdrive.extreme-vb.net/articles/firecracker.php3

Optionally, if you have the device:

http://www.zealsoftstudio.com/vbio/

Thank u for ur suggestions friends. If i'll find out the solution i'll definately mail to you. I know that this is possible.

Yes it is Definitely Possible to control X10 modules from a VB program.I use a Firecracker Serial Port module and an OCX included VB exe to schedule the lighting at my place.

Please check my web site for further details:

Click Below:

http://patelplanet.com/x10/

Thanks & Regards
-Shrimant Patel-
http://patelplanet.com