Read serial data using C++ (in Linux)

I'm a biochemist and I have a PhD in electrochemistry, I am not an expert in electronics or programming but I can just about get by, and I'm doing this amature programming in an attempt to get serveral pieces of instrumention to talk to each other (A peristatic pump, a signal generator and a relay board).

I'm posting here to ask for help from people who have a better understanding of electronics and programming than I do. I'm sorry if you don't think that is a good enough reason to post here. I was under the impression that this is what this forum is for (asking for help). If not maybe you could point me in the direction of a place where I can get some help.