so... where do I start learning on programming the DE2 board?

Hi,

The first thing that you need to decide is whether you want to implement your project using hardware (i.e. a logic circuit) or in software, running on a processor. From your post it seems that the latter option is more suitable for you.

If you choose to create a software implementation, you will first need to instantiate a Nios II system on the DE2 board. Nios II is a "soft" microprocessor that can be programmed onto the FPGA chip on the DE2 board, and functions just like any RISC processor. After doing that, you can use tools like the Nios II IDE and the Altera Monitor Program to develop and test your C program and run it on the DE2 board. For more information on how to do this, visit this link (http://www.altera.com/education/univ/materials/manual/unv-lab-manual.html) and scroll down to the "Computer Organization" section. There you will find relevant tutorials and also a link to download the Altera Monitor Program.

If, on the other hand, you choose to create a hardware implementation, you will need to design a logic circuit and then describe it to the Quartus CAD software using a hardware description language like Verilog or VHDL. If you choose to do it this way, you will need to learn Verilog or VHDL. A good book on the subject is "Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design" by Stephen Brown and Zvonko Vranesic. A corresponding Verilog version of the book is also available.