How to connect multiple devices to the Raspberry Pi B+ without using USB?

Hello,
looking for a solution to my problems I came across this forum, hoping to find someone to help me with my problems.

Namely, I need to program a "smart home" control. I've read a lot on the subject and decided to choose a Raspberry Pi B+ microcomputer for this purpose, I chose this model because I have one and didn't want it to go to waste.

I have decided what modules I want to attach to my Raspberry, these will include a display, camera, temperature sensor, motion sensor etc.

Unfortunately I don't know what to use to connect all these devices to the raspberry at the same time. And here is my first question:
1. HOW IS THE BEST AND EASIEST TO CONNECT MULTIPLE DEVICES AT THE SAME TIME, BUT NOT via USB??

Another problem I have is that I would like the user of this system to control it via an app on the attached display. I would like this application to have a nice graphical interface if possible.Is it possible to do something like this in C, C++ object oriented? And this is where my next question arises.
2. IN WHICH LANGUAGE IS IT BEST TO WRITE AN APPLICATION THAT WILL WORK WITH RASPBERRY SENSORS?

If anyone would have time to help me find answers to these questions then please do so

Thank you in advance
Regards
Aneta

aneta_autorob wrote:

1. WHAT IS THE BEST AND EASIEST WAY TO CONNECT MANY DEVICES AT THE SAME TIME BUT NOT via USB?

ESP8266
Costs pennies (as long as you buy from china), is wireless, draws as much power as nothing, and you can make some of the sensors run on batteries.

I understand this would look like the ESP8266 would read the data from the sensors and wirelessly send the information to the raspberry? Am I mistaken and somehow it would be connected differently?

Exactly right.

The ESP8266 is most suitable for any sensors or actuators, but not for cameras.
Since there is no USB, only IP cameras (WiFi or regular) remain.

The control panel can be written in HTML+PHP. An additional advantage is the ease of "migration" to remote control from a smartphone

Anyway, there are already highly developed free projects of this type, e.g. OpenHAB or Domoticz.
I personally use Domoticz to collect info on temperatures in the house.

There is also a nice and continuously developed ESPEasy project for ESP8266. It is fun to configure.

I would generally recommend you to use off-the-shelf solutions on the market.
We tested many different solutions , initially insisting on our own systems, but frankly speaking - a waste of time and money.
If you want to base an intelligent installation on RPI, it's worth getting acquainted with, among other things, the Domoticz system, which works well with RPI and technology, e.g. Z-Wave (if you plan to use e.g. Fibaro modules) or a bit easier and cheaper - WiFi communication (Blebox modules)

I have been blogging about Domoticz and MySensors receivers for a long time.

Mysensors, is a combination of an Arduino and an NRF24L01 wireless module.

Feel free to read -> Link

I will add a small question, which wireless module would be better when used to connect the DS18B20 to the RPi with Domoticz:
- ESP-01 ESP8266
or
- nRF24L01

If NRF modules are used, at least 2 units or a gateway (Arduino+ NRF) and a receiver (Arduino+NRF) will be required, 1 unit is sufficient for ESP.

You can also connect the DS18B20 sensor directly to the RPi -> Link

Thanks for the reply. I already have a dozen DS18B20's connected directly to the RPi and a Domoticz configured. I used, among other things, the information on your blog for this.
However, I have a few places where I have no cable (I only have 230V there) so I thought of a wireless solution.
I understand that in this case I can use an ESP module and program it (via USB-UART) to send data from the DS18B20 to the RPi? Are you perhaps planning to write an actcule on how to connect ESP and RPi?

For the time being I don't plan to write anything about ESP, I am interested in MySensors.

It's a pity, because the ESP8266 seems to me to be more developmental than the mysensor and cheaper . But your blog is very useful

When it comes to connecting the temperature sensor with the ESP8266 there is a pretty thorough description on the domoticz website https://www.domoticz.com/wiki/ESP8266_WiFi_module
There are also articles about other projects using this module.
I just can't decide whether to use ESP or NRF.