I have an idea for a new project and I have zero experience with
microcontrollers (I was a physics major) I have programmed before in Java,
html, php, C somewhat....

I'm not going to get into the details to what my project actually
accomplishes so I'll just get into the nitty gritty technical side of it.

Basically my project involves a keyboard, a flash memory card, and a small
LCD screen. I want the keyboard to input text and have the text to appear on
the small lcd screen, along with other text that is saved from the flash
card. What I type will also be saved onto the flash card for future use.

>From what I've gathered in the last 24 hours, to do this I need a
microcontroller at the center of all these input/outputs. Correct me if I'm
wrong but basically I will need a microcontroller that takes in information
from a flash card via a flash card controller, and from what I enter in as
text. Also the MC will send information to the lcd display controller based
on the code I program into it.

The program I write for these inputs/outputs rests in the physical
microcontroller and can be installed via a programmer and basic/c compiler.

So if I am right thus far, here are my questions..

1) Can I get all this integrated into a board? I have a feeling that I can
because I have seen some however not to the specific LCD that I want. I want
a larger one than what is available.

2) If I do buy an LCD, do the controllers usually handle C/basic code or
assembly only? What exactly goes into telling an LCD what to display? Does
the manufacturer give specific codes in assembler or C for the device? Also,
is this the same case with the flash reader? Do most flash readers/writers
that takes in say assembly? How exactly does do these deices all come
together with the microcontroller?

3) What will be the biggest hurdle with this device?

4) Any good resources on the net on learning how to build this thing?

I would really appreciate everyone's feedback on this, I understand my
knowledge level is atrocious but I would really like to start this project.
Gotta start from somewhere...
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