Help with Design: Using processor time efficiently when dealing with serial

Hi thanks for the replies,

it seems to be split as to whether I should use an interrupt for my PID function. I like that having it in a seperate interrupt function seperates it out of the main loop (a finite state machine) and ensures that it will always happen. It wouldn't add too much more complexity, other than ensuring buffers etc aren't read/write at the same time, would it?

My environment can be extremely cold, down to 4K , and my heating element is only 5W. Would you agree the timing is critical in the situation?

SirNickity:
What temp sensor?

I'm using The model 14C from here http://www.cryocon.com/TMSelectGuide.asp . I will be using RS232, and it supports only half duplex mode.

PaulS:
are you serious about asking this?

Why should I steer clear of delay(), what should i use instead?

I re read the delay() reference. Stupid question, agreed.

Thanks again