Accessing through C++

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I got my Basic Stamp to send me a character whenever a light is
blocked on a led...but I am not able to receive this character in my
C++ program....I am on a UNIX system. What I need to do is, i need
to find the time difference between two LED emissions...upon which,
I have made the Basic stamp to send a character to the serial port
everytime the LED emits a voltage. Can anyone help me out on how I
can change the input device on the C++ program from the keyboard to
the serial port ?

Thanks
PEACE!!
MShrestha