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Welcome to the definitive guide on creating cross‑platform RGB control applications. Whether you're building a lighting controller for PC peripherals, a home automation system, or custom LED installations, this post covers the essential concepts, libraries, and best practices.

1. Choosing the Right Protocol

Most devices expose one of the following interfaces:

• USB HID – Ideal for keyboards, mice, and simple LED strips.
• Serial (UART/I2C/SPI) – Used in Arduino‑style projects and microcontrollers.
• Network (TCP/UDP) – For Wi‑Fi or Ethernet connected lighting hubs.

2. Cross‑Platform Libraries

Consider these mature, open‑source options:

# C++
#include <hidapi/hidapi.h>

// Initialize HID
hid_init();

3. Color Management

Work with HSV or CIE‑1931 color spaces to achieve smooth transitions and accurate color rendering. Below is a short snippet in JavaScript using tinycolor2 for hue interpolation:

function lerpHue(a, b, t) {
    const diff = ((b - a + 180) % 360) - 180;
    return (a + diff * t + 360) % 360;
}

4. Performance Tips

• Batch updates – send the whole frame in one packet.
• Avoid blocking I/O on the UI thread.
• Use double buffering for smooth animations.

Feel free to ask questions or share your own implementations below!