How to connect a sensor to laptop

[virturalone]

Hi,
I am retired and work with computer programming as hobby. I wanted to find a way to connect a sensor to my laptop so that I could write a program for it. Example: reading atmospheric radiation levels with some type of sensor connected to my USB port. Could you direct me as to how, or what type of connections I would require to connect these two types of hardware.
Thanks,

 

[DaveC426913]

I would start by researching the detector. You will likely find that they already have devices that are USB-enabled.

 

[virturalone]

Doing that now. Thanks.